Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Hello Santa
Although Caitlin didn't seem too aware of what was happening, we visited the David Jones store in the CBD today so that she could have her photo taken with Santa. She was, quite naturally, a little unsure about what was happening, but managed to resist any urge to cry as the photographer and assistant tried to coax a smile from her.
While they were in the centre, Anna and Caitlin went on a search for a warm coat for when they visit the UK, in a few days, and found a very nice ski-suit that should fit the bill.
Finally, I'd like to wish my brother, Peter, a very happy birthday for today from all of us here.
Chris
posted at 8:21 pm
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Jervis Bay photos
Although there are still quite a few photos that we'll probably delete, I figured I'd upload the photos from Jervis Bay; click the picture above. Those pictures which may not make the final cut fall into one of three groups:
- The camera auto-focus messed up (and I'm stucking to that story),
- We were playing with the tele-photo settings, or
- There was a dolphin there a second ago...!
I'm sure it gets significantly busier in peak season, but the beaches really were that spacious and empty - and the wildlife just happened to be there; rather than us being in any form of zoo. When I get around to uploading the video, hopefully in the next couple of days, you'll see more of the kangaroos and (a little more of the) dolphins.
Chris
posted at 10:38 pm 0 comments
Monday, November 28, 2005
Hey Buddy
Whilst having a look around at portable high chair options, Anna stumbled across the item in the picture above, which we both liked as it can be used as both a high chair and trolley seat (as well as other things). As I mentioned before, Caitlin likes twisting herself around in the trolley so, hopefully, this will make life more comfortable.
The weather was pretty miserable over the weekend, so it was the perfect opportunity to be shopping (and rehearsing the violin) without feeling like we were wasting an opportunity to be outside. Anna has been working hard at the violin to make up for not having picked up the instrument whilst we were away on holiday; so all should be well for the upcoming concert.
Chris
posted at 10:35 pm 0 comments
Friday, November 25, 2005
Trip Planning
As this weekend is the last free one before Anna and Caitlin visit the UK, we're planning on doing some shopping for the trip, and possibly a couple of presents. The emphasis, however, will definitely be on things that she can pack into her limited luggage space.
With another baby in the family due early next year, Anna's parents have started to invest in a few baby-related items for their home; which means that Anna won't need to take a car seat or portable cot. The main item on our list, therefore, is some form of portable/packable high chair, so that Caitlin can be suitably restrained(!) when being fed.
Chris
posted at 10:22 pm 0 comments
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Turkey Day
We held the 7th annual Thanksgiving run last night in Maroubra - with our usual hosts, Seth, Carol and Sally providing the American delicacies. Anna and Caitlin joined me for the festivities, including a short stop at Gary, Nadine & Lucy's house - then the turkey feast once we all got back to the start.
As always, Caitlin stole the show in terms of getting lots of smiles and coos from the ensemble. Anna was also trying to drum up some more trade for her upcoming performance with the Sinfonia, so hopefully she might get a couple of takers.
Chris
posted at 10:49 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Which way?
A fairly quiet day today, aside from the high excitement of a shopping trip to Woolworths. Caitlin is now stable enough that she can sit quite happily in the shopping trolley seat, with the one caveat that she likes to look where she is going, so that she spends all her time twisted around so that her head is facing forwards while one leg is still in position facing backwards.
Although there's still an editorial review of the media from Jervis Bay underway, I have managed to sneak some other photos past the censor:
Chris
posted at 10:40 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
College Catch-up
After a week away, Anna has been busy ensuring that she is caught up with both her college work and violin rehearsal. Both of these reach their conclusion at the start of December, just before Anna and Caitlin head off to the UK. Also, as Anna wasn't looking after any additional babies, she was able to attend the mothers get-together in the Three Weeds, to wish Kerry and Willow well as they leave Sydney to make their way to Brighton.
I'm happy to report that not only does Caitlin seem to have fully recovered from her illness of last week, but that she really seems to be thriving at the moment. As I was feeding her tea tonight, I could barely get the spoon from bowl to mouth fast enough to keep her content - we think she must be embarking on another growth spurt, as she has also increased her milk intake. The evidence of these internal workings is that her second tooth is starting to poke its way up through the gum as well.
Chris
posted at 10:25 pm 0 comments
Monday, November 21, 2005
Jervis Bay re-cap
On Sunday morning, before we were about to head off to Jervis Bay, Caitlin was sick twice - which is unusual for her as she has never been a very sicky baby (little bits of milk after a feed aside). So, when she was sick for a third time as we were heading off, we decided to err on the side of caution and pop in to see the local casualty doctor. Although he quickly mentioned the possibility of gastroenteritis, when we left it was with the understanding that this was probably not the cause. Over the next few days, Caitlin developed the additional symptoms which led a further visit to quickly be diagnosed as gastroenteritis - at which point the treatment became more clear. Opinion seems to be somewhat divided on treatment, but the doctor we saw in Jervis Bay quickly advised a lactose-free diet which Caitlin responded to well - and I'm happy to say has now made a pretty much complete recovery.
Although Caitlin was a little subdued (and so were we as a result) for the first couple of days of our holiday, it didn't stop us getting around to see many of the sights, including:
- Many of the beaches and historical points in Booderee National Park
- The Lady Denman Museum
- The lighthouse at Point Perpendicular
- Anniversary dinner at Paperbark Camp
and seeing lots of wildlife, including:
- Local bottle-nosed dolphins
- Lots of kangaroos and wallabies
- A couple of sightings of the White-bellied Sea Eagle
- A brief run-in with a huntsman spider
All-in-all a very enjoyable trip which left us wanting to go back again to enjoy the fantastic scenery.
Chris
posted at 10:34 pm 0 comments
Friday, November 11, 2005
Down time
As it is our wedding anniversary next week, we've organised a trip down to Jervis Bay for the week. We'll be staying in the house pictured above, which is in Vincentia (one of the towns dotted around the bay), but hope to get around to see as many of the sights as we can whilst we're there.
So, as I don't plan on being near a computer, the blog will also be taking a well-deserved rest, although I imagine that they'll be lots of pictures etc. to sort out once we get back.
Finally, as we'll be away on the day, just a quick note to wish my brother Paul a very happy birthday on the 18th.
Chris
posted at 10:04 pm 0 comments
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Mosman and back
With Anna busy looking after Caitlin and Max today, it was just I who headed over to Mosman for tonight's run. I joined the motley crew of hashers on the 6pm ferry there and, despite a prompt start, we still didn't finish until around quarter-to-eight - which only gave me time to grab one beer before heading off for the return ferry.
As it was a humid evening, I decided to sit out in the fresh air on the way home, but the sea breeze got the better of me before I made it all the way back home - which I managed in record time, thanks to some good luck with my ferry connection on to Balmain.
Chris
posted at 10:55 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Visitor from Melbourne
After a failed attempt a few weeks ago Moira Edwards, an old University friend of Anna's mum who lives in Melbourne, visited us this evening to give us a gift for Caitlin. The gift, a selection of bath goodies, was very gratefully received and I'm sure will be getting used soon. Although we hadn't specifically planned to do so, Moira also joined us for dinner and a glass of wine, as we chatted about what we've all been up to since we last met (around 15 months ago).
After dinner, I volunteered to give Moira a lift back to the hotel she was staying in, confident that I knew where she was as my office is nearby. However, as we didn't have an address when we left, we needed to stop off for some directions en-route. Hopefully the detour didn't delay Moira too much...
Chris
posted at 11:20 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Bye bye Willow
Yesterday was the last time that Anna was looking after Willow, as she and her parents are relocating to Brighton in the New Year; and are doing a trip over to New Zealand before then. We're planning to get together later this week for a farewell dinner before they head off. We both think it has been good for Caitlin to interact with the other babies that Anna has been helping with but, to help her career (and sanity), Anna is planning on looking for some part-time (hopefully design-related) work after Christmas.
It's a notoriously quiet time for job seekers here in January, as the combination of Christmas, New Year, Summer holidays and Australia Day mean that many businesses run on auto-pilot until February. However, by then Anna should have had chance to polish up her resume, and we'll both have had chance to research some day-care alternatives for Caitlin.
Finally, just to let you know that I've uploaded some recent photos:
Chris
posted at 8:22 pm 0 comments
Monday, November 07, 2005
Forecast comes true
After getting the call on Friday, to ask if I could work a few hours overtime on the weekend, we took a look at the weather forecast. Saturday was supposed to be wet, with the rain clearing for Sunday - fair enough, a bit of extra work on Saturday, then off to the beach on Sunday.
Saturday delivered the forecast showers and rain, so turned out to be a reasonable day to spend at work, we'd only have been inside anyway.
Sunday we headed down to Jibbon Beach with the plan to go for a hike if the sun wasn't out and relax on the beach if it was. Although the morning didn't look too sunny in Balmain, by the time we got down to Bundeena the clouds had cleared and we all had a great afternoon relaxing on the beach and having a dip in the sea.
Chris
posted at 8:11 pm 0 comments
Friday, November 04, 2005
Earlier every year
Maybe it's a sign of old age, but Christmas seems to get earlier every year - when I got home tonight, my first Christmas present & card were there waiting for me. Many thanks to E.C. Staines, for getting the holiday season off to a flying start!
The current plan is for Anna and Caitlin to be back in the UK, for a short visit, over Christmas itself, then back to Sydney to join me for New Year. However, Anna was keen to point out that this should mean having two Christmi (?), and I have been clearly instructed to purchase a real tree for the house here.
Chris
posted at 10:52 pm 0 comments
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Hey, Mr Tambourine Man
Now that Anna & Caitlin have recovered from their virus of last week, we decided to all go along to the run this evening; over by Tambourine Bay (pictured above). It was a warm evening, and the flies were doing their best to deter any running, but they calmed down as the evening progressed. Anna decided to take Caitlin in the Baby Bjorn as the trail went through a little bushland, which turned out to be the right call as they ended up going through more than they had planned.
Afterwards, we all went to the hares' house for dinner, which has become something of a legend. He has been renovating it, completely by himself, for the best part of 30 years, but you'd never guess - it looks like he started last week, as everything is fantastically higgledy-piggledy! Caitlin was, as always, reluctant to go to sleep while we were still out but, as we didn't leave until around 10pm, she was straight off to sleep as soon as we got in the car.
Chris
posted at 11:42 pm 0 comments
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Too much activity
As the temperature at night has increased, we've been compensating by making sure not to have too many layers on Caitlin; so that we've now got to the point where we don't have any sheet over her at all. This, coupled with the fact that she is considerably more mobile, means that she's gotten into the habit of crawling/walking around her cot for an hour or so at night before thinking about going to sleep - if only there was some form of breathable straight-jacket ;-)
Chris
posted at 9:24 pm 0 comments
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Three-in-a-Row
As always, the nation stopped to watch the Melbourne Cup today (the flat race with a stature similar to, possibly bigger than, the Grand National in England). With Makybe Diva attempting to win the cup for the third time, she was very much the popular favourite. Anna and Caitlin joined the other mothers for a Melbourne Cup lunch and afternoon, during which Caitlin was apparently very active as she crawled around and over the other babies.
On the way home, after the historic third win was achieved, Anna found that a new Early Learning World store has just opened in Balmain; so they popped in for a look. Their first visit only resulted in a relatively small purchase, a combination shape-sorter/abacus/mirror/spinner, but I have a feeling that it won't be the last...
Chris
posted at 10:33 pm 0 comments
