Christmas 2008

Dave finished work the Thursday before Christmas Day and we've enjoyed quiet family days just going for walks, coffees, kicking the ball around, splashes and a swimming lesson.  We've met up with our other friends a few times too.

Christmas Day started very early for us.  Jacob woke at 5.15am crying and that really set our morning.  After trying to resettle him we gave up and opened our presents.  Jacob was really lucky and got Thomas the Tank Engine related toys, a wooden train set/wooden town setting with its own table, clothes, a puzzle and a tent and of course some money to put in his savings account.

We had a walk in the morning and were very disappointed there was no where open for a coffee!  After lunch and Jacob's sleep we headed down to the beach, as the sun was shining and it was lovely and warm.  Jacob had a great time, kept wondering off down to the water's edge, splashing around, running into the waves and collecting shells, buckets of water and smiles from other people.

Dave kindly cooked our dinner early evening and we enjoyed a roast turkey dinner with pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing and English gravy - very yummy.  Jacob learnt to say turkey very quickly, I think he might have had his body weight too!!!

We've caught up with some friends, I've met some of Dave's friends and we've been invited out too.

On Sunday 28th we went to Little Beach for Jacob to have a go at scuba diving.  Steve is a qualified instructor and kindly offered to take Dave, Ant and Tracey.  I didn't fancy it and was happy to look after Jacob.  It was a beautiful day, the beach setting was perfect, I even managed a couple of swims.  Jacob really enjoyed himself, Dave was a little unsure of the breathing bit but will try again another time and we had fish and chips from the local takeaway.  A great day.

Christmas Night Outs

I've been so lucky and have gone out on three evenings out for Christmas.  I've out with my three mums' groups to a Japenese restaurant, a Thai restaurant and an Australian restaurant - not even a turkey in sight!

(back row from left to right - Me, Beth & Kylie

front row from left to right - Nicole, Kel & Kate)

I've made some really good friends in Newcastle, so has Jacob and so has Dave.  I'm looking forward to our many play dates and even more nights out.

Baby news

Some of our friends have had recent additions to their families:

So, congratulations to Susanne and Darren on the arrival of Isac, a little brother for Oskar.  Isac arrived whilst we were in the UK on 15th October.

Also, congratulations to Karen and Davo.  Hayley Emma arrived on 7th November and is a little sister for Kirrily.

And finally, congratulations to Lewis and Ju.  Evie Grace was born on 25th November and is their first child.

Dress Up

Jacob has taken to swopping hats with his mate Ella and can often be seen walking in either Dave's or my shoes!!!

The month of November

Sorry I've not been so hot at keeping the blog as up-to-date as I used to, but then I wasn't so good at it!  After returning from our month long trip to the UK, I just didn't have the energy or the inclination to think posts for the blog and now I've got to think of what we've been up to.  

We were very lucky and got an invitation to help to celebrate Belinda and James's wedding on 1st November.  It was a lovely day, our first Australian wedding and it was a really nice to be involved.

I also took Jacob to his first "kids" entertainment thing - The Dorothy the Dinosaur tour!  We met Kerry & Ella and Tracey & Ciara there and the children really enjoyed dancing to the music and then it started!  Each child fell back into our laps and watched the show, they weren't too sure about it to begin with.  Towards the end Ciara got up and danced, Jacob stayed in my lap and Ella fell asleep.  Was good fun though and loads better than I expected.  I'll have to keep my eyes open for another show, maybe the Wiggles this time.

The following weekend we joined Kel and their family and friends to celebrate her 30th birthday. It was a great day, weather wise, Kel looked fab in her dress and certainly didn't look 30!  We also got to catch up with our antenatal group friends and Jacob also had his first pass the parcel game.  He managed to get a lolly pop, open it and stick it in his mouth - his mouth then turned red and sticky - nice!

We went camping to Manning Point, near Taree.  Our first Australian camping experience and we went with Tracey, Ant, Ciara, Kerry, Steve and Ella.  The sun did shine, we managed a trip to the beach and also experienced a thunder storm!  It was great fun and hopefully not the last camping trip.

We've also done the usual walking and coffee trips, playground playdates, beach playdates and have started our swimming lessons again.  This time we are in the next group up which involves more structured time in the pool and Jacob gets to wear floats and arm bands.  I was impressed with his last lesson, as he was happy to float there without any assistance from me.

During the last week of November, Dave had the week off and we travelled several hours south of Sydney (about 5 hours drive from Newcastle) and stopped in a friend's cabin.  The site was right by the beach, in the middle of bushland with loads of kangaroos and some amazing birds and we had a nice relaxing time.  I wasn't so well for the beginning of our holiday, so Dave and Jacob had loads of time to bond, walk, play and stroke the roos!  On the last day I managed to get the rainbow lorikeets to come and feed off our balcony and out of my hand, Jacob thought it was great and would have loved to get his hand on a bird!