The Wiggles!

For a Christmas present this year, the girls were off to see The Wiggles in concert! The day had finally arrived and Annie and Lucy were so excited. They put on their tutu's, put on their dancing shoes and had roses to give to Dorothy. What made the experience even more exciting was that Amelie was coming with us!! (with Aunty Cath and Alexander too of course!)

Lucy and Annie waiting patiently for Amelie

All the girls cheering about going to the concert!

The look on Annie and Lucy's face when The Wiggles walked out on stage.

The Wiggles in concert!

Noonie gave the girls $5 each to spend at the concert so this is what Annie (and Lucy) bought with their money....

... a Dorothy headband!

The girls had such a great time at the concert. Annie loved watching Dorothy doing her ballet dancing and Lucy really enjoyed dancing and was quite in awe of the whole thing.

Lucy and a bucket

Who needs the art direction from a world renowned photographer when you have a 2 year old and a bucket? Not Lucy! Lucy absolutely loves stripping her clothes off and filling up the bucket using the tank water. Many a time we find Lucy at the tank with no clothes on and her head under the tap giggling. She is definitely a water baby!!

Lucy Goosey's 2nd Birthday!

I can hardly believe that my baby has just turned 2!! It only seems like yesterday that I was rushing off to the hospital. Lucy was definitely born in a hurry....

The story starts off the day before you were born, Dec 15. Benjamin was scheduled for surgery to have his tonsils and adenoids removed and grommets inserted into the ears. You were 5 days late at this stage and we could not change BJ's surgery date because it was an emergency operation so it could not be put off. This did not seem a problem three weeks beforehand when we made the arrangements because everyone, even the doctors and nurses, thought you would come early. So Mummy spent all day with BJ in hospital until 8pm then Daddy took over for the 'night shift'! I arrived home, relieved Mama from her babysitting duties and proceeded to rest for the night after an emotionally draining day. Noonie was sleeping over that night so Mummy could wake up and go straight to the hospital to pick Daddy and BJ up without having to wait for someone to come and look after Matthew and Annie. Noonie arrived home at our place at 12am (Dec 16) after her staff dinner party and was looking forward to a good night sleep too. So off to bed we went. Anyway, some time later I felt quite funny and thought that something was up with the you (the baby) so I got up and went into the kitchen and as I did my waters gushed all over the floor!! I looked at the clock and it was exactly 2am. I called out to Noonie to wake her up and to let her know that things were happening. I phoned Mama and Grandad to come over so they could look after Matthew and Annie while Noonie drove me to the hospital. I also had to call the hospital to let them know I was on my way. While on the phone to the midwife I asked her to forward me onto the Children's hospital so I could let Daddy know what was happening so he could meet us outside the Children's hospital. This was so we could drop Noonie off to go sit with BJ and Daddy come with me for the birth. Once Grandma and Grandad arrived the contractions had started and Noonie and I set off for the hospital. Half way to the hospital Noonie commented on the amount of traffic on the road and I said "no there isn't" and that's when I realised Noonie wasn't wearing her driving glasses! By this stage I didn't care because I thought you were coming!! So I told Noonie to forget about picking Daddy up as I was not going to make it to the hospital if we did. So I called Daddy back to let him know he had to meet us at the maternity ward. Well, the only way Daddy could get there was by RUNNING from the Children's section to the Maternity section and because it was the middle of the night all the hospitals internal gates were locked so he had to run right around the block! Daddy arrived just as Noonie and I did so Noonie went to be with BJ and Daddy come upstairs with me to the birthing suites. Once we arrived at the birthing suites the nurses wanted me to wait in the waiting room as they were very busy but I told Daddy "Do not wheel me in there as this baby is coming!" So after the next contraction I yelled out "I need a room as this baby is coming NOW!!!!" The next second a midwife came out and wheeled me into a room and then before you know it you were born! The midwife let Daddy look to see if you were a boy or a girl and his response was "It's a girl, no its not it's a boy!" The midwife's reply was "No it's not it's a girl!!" We were so overjoyed! We were both extremely tired but overjoyed none the less. We were so grateful the God had given us another baby girl and now we felt complete as a family. Daddy gave you such a big kiss and a cuddle and the next minute Daddy got a call from Noonie saying that BJ had woken up and was wanting Daddy. So 10 minutes after you were born Daddy had to leave to go be with BJ and Noonie came over to be with her new baby granddaughter (and her own daughter too of course!). The next morning Benjamin was your first visitor and he gave you your first ever gift, your teddy Dizzy.

Lucy Josephine

born at 2:53am

December 16 2006

7lb 9oz.
53 cm

Lucy only a few hours old

first photo of ALL the kids!

Two years later...

The kids want to help Lucy unwrap her presents but she made it very clear that she can do it ALL by herself!

Lucy unwrapping her birthday presents

After always trying to steal the boys scooters, Lucy has finally got one all of her own.

Lucy playing on her new scooter

eating sausages and eggs (Lucy's favourite breakfast!)

After breakfast the boys made mention that they wanted to buy Lucy a birthday present with their own money. So while the girls were having their day sleeps the boys went off to the shops with wallets in tow, and each bought Lucy a present. Matthew bought her a teddy bear and Benjamin bought Lucy some bangles and rings.

Lucy with the presents Matthew and BJ gave her

Later in the day the family came over for homemade chicken nuggets and chips for dinner. (Lucy's favourite dinner!)

Lucy opening more present

The kids decided on what Lucy's birthday cake should be and they all decided together that Lucy would like butterfly cupcakes.

Lucy's birthday cake was butterfly cupcakes outlined in the shaped of a number two.

Christmas lights tour has begun!

Christmas is definitely one of our family's favourite time of year. We all love driving around looking at Christmas lights. Every couple of nights we usually go for a drive to a different location looking at the wonderful creations the community folks have created in their own front yard. This is the first night we went out!!

Matthew

Daddy, BJ, Annie and Lucy looking at the moving reindeers!

first family shot at the first christmas lights display

Benjamin's Kindy Christmas concert

BJ was so excited about performing in his Kindy christmas concert. He had been practicing every afternoon at kindy for the past four weeks and finally the day had come for his performance. BJ made sure he had on his special christmas shirt that Mama had made and the reindeer nose and ears that Noonie bought him.

BJ waiting for the concert to start

BJ performing

At the end of the concert part of the afternoon, a very special guest turned up for ALL the kindy kids...SANTA. Benjamin could hardly contain his excitment.

BJ listening to Santa talk about his ride to Kindy

BJ's photo with Santa after receiving his special present

BJ's special present - a book!!

BJ had a great afternoon at his Kindy Christmas concert. He was so happy and excited by it all.

The face of Northside Prep!

Matthew was asked to be the face of Northside Prep for 2009! Eventhough he will be in Grade 2 in 2009 they still asked him to represent the school as he was missing his two front teeth! The theme of the promotion was "all I want for christmas is my..." Matthew was so happy and excited to be doing this that he was suggesting different poses he could do for the photo to the photographer!

The finished product

We think you are so handsome Matty!!

BEST FRIENDS

Amelie and Annie having lunch

From being babies Annie and Amelie have been bestfriends. They absolutely love and adore eachother and us Mum's couldn't be happier! It means more excuses for us to get together. Amelie spent the day with us for Matthew's Junior school concert and Annie was so excited that she could hardly contain herself. The girls have so much fun together and it is so lovely seeing these two wonderful girls growing up together and forming a beautiful friendship.

Matthew's christmas concert Yr 1

This year Matthew had a staring role in the Junior School Christmas Concert. Minor as it may be but just as important nonetheless. He was the Innkeeper! Matthew was so excited about his role and wanted to look his best so Mama was the one in charge of his costume!

Matthew dressed in his Inn keeper costume

Matthew performing his duties as the Innkeeper!

Matthew singing in the Grand Finale

Matthew was a fantastic Innkeeper and was beaming from ear to ear knowing that we Mum, Dad, BJ, Annie, Lucy, Noonie, Mama and Amelie were there to see HIM!

Waiting for Noonie

All the kids love waiting outside for Noonie to arrive!

Having a competition on who can spot Noonie's car first

BJ explaining the rules!

Matt riding his scooter while he waits

Lucy and Annie waiting patiently

It is always such a thrill and excitment for the kids when they wait for their Noonie!!

Cooling Down

There is only one thing to do when it is hot...go on the waterslide!!

Matthew and Lucy getting ready to go down the waterslide together.

Lucy

Annie

Benjamin

Matthew

Everyone always has so much fun on our home made waterslide.

Kindy Boy

Benjamin's kindy photo 2008

Christmas put on hold!

Christmas has been put on hold for a very important event. BENJAMIN'S 5th BIRTHDAY!! It was five years ago that my precious baby boy was born. This is definitely an event I will not forget......

Daddy was awake at 3am to go surfing with the school kids and then went straight to school as he had to supervise his Chemistry exam. Mummy woke up at 6am busting to go to the toilet so off I went but before I got there I felt a trickle run down my leg. I did not think anything of it because I thought I had wet myself because I was SO busting! Matthew woke up just after my toilet dash so Mummy at Matty started our day as per usual. At 9:30am I put Matthew down for his normal morning sleep and proceeded to carry the washing downstairs for me to start. As I was walking through the kitchen I felt a HUGE gush of water pouring down my legs! Oh No! I thought. This can't be happening now. This baby is two weeks early and I haven't finshed my Christmas shopping! I called Daddy at work to let him know what had just happened but I couldn't get a hold of him as Dad was supervising his exam. I left a message for him to call home and Mrs Pass had asked if it had something to do with the baby and I replied "YES my waters had broke so if you could please ask Stewart to give me a call at home." I hung up and waited patiently for him to ring back. Nothing else had really started to happen yet but I was wondering what was taking so long as 20 mins had passed and Daddy still had not called back! The next thing I heard was the garage door going up as Daddy had raced home. We called Grandma and Grandad to come and look after Matt while Daddy took me to the hospital. Once we arrived we went into the labour suite and everything had started by then. Daddy was a huge help. However, Mummy did have a few funny ways about her while I was in labour with you. I only wanted Daddy to talk to me while I was having a contraction because I focused on what he way saying instead of the pain I was feeling but once the contraction was over I didn't want him to talk to me at all because I did not want him to waste any conversation topics for no reason!! And then it all happened...you were born. My precious Benjamin Jack Robert. When the nurse gave you to me and I looked to see that you were a boy I could not stop saying your name. BENJAMIN. My BENJAMIN. My heart filled with so much love for you and so much gratitude to God for giving you to me. I will never ever forget holding you in my arms and looking at you with such joy and happiness. Once the nurse left Daddy and I alone with you for the first time we prayed and thanked God for our precious new baby boy and prayed that we would be a blessing to you and we also asked God to show us how HE would like us to look after you as you are our gift from HIM.

Benjamin Jack Robert

born at 12:10pm

November 26 2003

8lb 4oz.

54.5cm

Benjamin under phototherapy lights for 3 days for jaundice

Benjamin 5 days old

Five years later...

Benjamin reading Matthew's birthday card

BJ giving Matt a 'thank you' hug

BJ on his new swing bike from Mum and Dad

eating the birthday breakfast of BBQ Plum Kebabs (BJ's favourite)

blowing out the candles at kindy

soccer ball cupcakes as requested!

opening presents at home from the family

one of his favourite presents - Big Truck from Noonie

soccer ball ice cream cake that Mum made with M&M's mixed through the vanilla icecream

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

.....the christmas shirts and dress are on (Annie still waiting for Mama to finish making her new one), the santa hats are on, the christmas carols are playing and the kids are excited about putting up the Christmas tree. We usually put up the Christmas decorations after BJ's birthday but seeing as Dad is going away the day after we thought we should put them up earlier rather than later.

Christmas time is definitely one of our favourite times of year. And putting up the christmas tree is only the beginning of our family traditions.

the kids singing and dancing to the christmas carols

Matthew hanging up the magical key for Santa

Matt and BJ putting together our ornamental christmas tree

Annie putting on decorations

Lucy putting on the decorations

BJ trying to put the decoration on as HIGH as he can!

Daddy placing on the last decoration - the STAR!

Merry Christmas!!

wouldn't be Christmas without a SILLY SNAP!!