Saturday

Today was a fun day enjoyed by all, firstly it was warmer which makes everyone happier!!

Warren, Alexander and I headed off to the Valley to check out some shoe storage at Howards storage world....I love that place!! Then we headed to Harvey Norman to get some prints of Alexander's last 10 months for his memory book. I have finally decided to make some time to work on this for him.

Afterwards we headed to Adam and Bron's for a leisurely lunch of roast pork and vegetables followed by chocolate brownie. YUMMY!!!!!

Alex spent the day trying out his standing next to Adam and Bron's lovely new lounge suite!!

He tried to take a few steps away but would then fall down!
Alex looked like a real little "boy" today in his plaid shirt and jeans!

We enjoyed a lovely afternoon catching up on what everyone has been doing this past week. There is nothing better than an afternoon with family!!

Now off to enjoy a glass of wine, some home cooked hot chips (a very special treat in the Maston home) and the rugby - Australia v New Zealand, oh and for the record, Warren is looking very golden and looking forward to a big win. Hope dad enjoys the game live!!

Sick....again!!

Alexander has had a cough since midnight Sunday evening. It has slowly become worse and worse, culminating in a visit to the GP Tuesday and today. We are to wait out another night and if no improvement over night, then he is to commence on another course of antibiotics!!! When will this end for our little man?! There is nothing worse than having a sick baby, he is such a gorgeous placid bub, but when he is sick he is more so. He really just wants cuddles all day when he is sick and the smiles are few and far between, but we do get them.

Mum treated Alexander and I to a delightful Japanese lunch at Sono, Portside today. I had the best lunch and I am pretty sure my mum was pleased with hers too!! The waitresses were attracted to Alexander and seemed to think he was kinda cute, which of course he is!! I left my camera in the car, so didn't get any pictures of us today at lunch....save them for next time!

Thanks for a lovely day mum, now let's just hope little man is better by tomorrow.

Morning Coffee with the Girls

This morning I hopped out of bed with a happy thought that today we had planned coffee with the girls! I always look forward to catching up with the other ladies and their babies. Today we decided on an early coffee at a local coffee shop, so we can then get on with the chores we all need to get done.

Alexander and I did our chores around the home and then headed out to meet the ladies. I stopped at QBD to collect a book for my niece, which has won an Australian award.

At coffee, we chatted and marvelled at how much the babies have grown over the past 8 months that we have all known each other. I can't believe how much the girls have all changed!! They are all so cute!!

Donna and Elke

Susan and Talia, Steph and Ashley

Alexander and I then headed off to an appointment before returning home for lunch and an afternoon nap.

Whilst little man has been sleeping, I have made yummy meatballs for dinner, we will see what little man thinks of these!! Sadly we missed a trip to the park yet again due to the drizzly weather....

Shoes!!

Today I decided that Alexander needs to wear shoes, I have been pondering this idea for a few weeks now but haven't really got around to finding some until now. Most of our little friends have been wearing shoes for a few months now, so now Alexander can join the "in crowd". When standing up in his socks, he tends to do a pirouette and then fall down or better still the splits (we have tiles downstairs).

When Alexander was born, a friend of ours gave us these shoes, so today without complaints Alex proudly wore his shoes!!

My little man is growing up so quickly!!! He even wore them for his two naps!!

Quiet Day

Today it's pretty drizzly outside so we are taking advantage and enjoying a quiet day at home! Because it's so cold, I keep finding myself at the pantry or at the fridge....aarrgghh!!!!!!

We have both had a rather stressful and busy week, so it's lovely to take advantage and spend a quiet day together.

Little man enjoyed a cheese and avocado sandwich.

We were originally planning a trip to the park this afternoon, but are now searching for tax receipts...I know what I would rather be doing!!

Birthday Celebrations!

Friday was my darling dad's birthday, so we held a birthday luncheon here on Saturday.

Each of dad's children and their partner organised a component of the meal, so my elder brother and his family arrived VERY early Saturday morning to drop off the meat, rice and pavlova (our family birthday tradition is pavlova for birthday cakes).

We all had a wonderful day filled with chatter, giggles and great food.

My elder brother, John and Alexander (can you see any family resemblance?)

My dad and Alexander

Warren and my niece Emma playing soccer, although it seemed more like tag to me!

Adam and BronThe cake and birthday boy.

Tuesday Challenge

This morning we had a challenge, to get my darling dad a birthday present. Mission, accomplished! We went to our local shopping centre which is very very large and we found the perfect present after searching many many stores!!

I even managed to find myself 3 new books at Borders in the 3 for 2 deal. I am very much looking forward to sitting down and selecting which new novel to start on first! I found Alexander some books too, but will pop them on his birthday list for his aunts and uncles to choose from.

We then had a quiet lunch with Nonna before trying some of our tiramisu from yesterday....and the verdict....bellisimo!! Mum and I decided it was nearly as good as our favourite one from Greppia in Verona!! We will definitely be making this particular recipe again!! Now off to select that book with a quiet cup of tea.

Exciting Times Ahead

Well, after sitting down with this weeks roster, it certainly looks like working is going to be hard for me once Warren starts his new job and his travelling. At the moment, we share dropping off and collecting from day care but with Warren travelling, it's going to be very hard. It's interesting because I have always wanted and dreamed of being a stay home mum. But now we are getting closer to it being real, I think...well I went through so much to become a Registered Nurse and don't particularly want to retrain in years to come. Whatever happens though, our family will come first and Alexander will benefit either way. We have very exciting times ahead for this family of three... Regardless of what happens, I love being a mum to Alexander and wife to Warren!!!

Oh what a day!!

Alex and I had extra doona time this morning. We all slept in and then little man joined me in our bed for his early morning milk. We had a very slow morning which was called for. After a busy weekend away, I am truly buggered (excuse the language). We did some much needed grocery shopping and then had a quiet afternoon making tiramisu (can't wait to try it!!).

Tiramisu

Photography by Ben Dearnley

Preparation Time

30 minutes

Cooking Time

15 minutes

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 300g French vanilla Fruche (see note)
• 200g low-fat fresh ricotta
• 1 egg
• 55g (1/4 cup) caster sugar
• 125ml (1/2 cup) boiling water
• 2 tsp instant espresso coffee
• 1 1/2 tbs marsala
• 3 tsp cocoa powder, to dust

• Gluten-free sponge cake

• Melted butter, to grease
• 3 eggs, at room temperature, separated
• 140g (2/3 cup) caster sugar
• 150g (1 cup) gluten-free all-purpose flour mix
• 2 tsp gluten-free baking powder
• 60ml (1/4 cup) reduced-fat milk or light soy milk

Method

1. To make the gluten-free sponge cake, preheat oven to 180°C. Brush 2 shallow, round 18cm (base measurement) cake pans with melted butter to lightly grease. Line bases of pans with non-stick baking paper.

2. Use an electric beater to whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tbs at a time, whisking between each addition until sugar dissolves. Continue whisking for 1 minute or until mixture is thick and glossy. Add the egg yolks and whisk until just combined. Sift the combined flour mix and baking powder into the egg mixture. Pour the milk down the side of the bowl and use a large metal spoon to fold until just combined.

3. Spoon mixture evenly among prepared pans and smooth the surface. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centres comes out clean. Remove from oven. Turn onto a wire rack and set aside for 15 minutes or until cooled to room temperature.

4. Use a clean electric beater to beat the Fruche, ricotta, egg and sugar in a medium bowl until combined and smooth. Combine the water and coffee in a jug. Stir in the marsala.

5. Cut 1 sponge cake into 1.5cm-thick slices. Cover the base of a 11 x 21cm (base measurement) glass or ceramic loaf dish with half the sponge slices. Brush with half the coffee mixture. Top with half the ricotta mixture and smooth the surface with a spoon. Repeat with the remaining sponge slices, coffee mixture and ricotta mixture. Dust with cocoa powder.

6. Cover the tiramisu with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 4 hours to chill and develop the flavours. Spoon tiramisu among serving bowls and serve immediately.

What a busy busy week!

Well we survived last week!! Quite a lot happened last week in the Maston household.

W has himself a new and exciting job which will include travelling so I have decreased my hours at work back to Wednesdays and Fridays and maybe soon just one day a week (we will see how we go). I am very excited as I was finding the Thursday shift quite a challenging day.

W and I went to Sydney early on Saturday morning to celebrate our friends Engagement and to farewell our other friends off to Japan. Little man had the luxury of staying with my mum and dad. He had a great time getting up to mischief with his cousin, Emma.

We arrived in Sydney to be greeted by Greg. We headed to Darling Harbour for lunch with Greg and some of his friends. Then we met up with Angela and hurried back to their place at Newtown so they could get ready for the Engagement party. We were a little late to the party, but it didn't really start until we arrived anyway!!! :-) We had a great time catching up with everyone over a few beers and wines.

Sunday morning we enjoyed a small sleep in and woke up to the beautiful sunset (below) then headed dowstairs to breakfast at the hotel where we were staying. We both enjoyed a cooked breakfast which was such a treat for us. I even enjoyed a small chocolate croissant!! YUM!!!

We had a shortish walk to collect Greg's car, albeit whinging along the way as I had my non sensible shoes on. We then stalled the car (a VW manual) which I giggled continuously about, W didn't really find this that funny though!! Oops!! We headed to Greg and Angela's where W fixed both their computers for their trip to Japan. After a brief lunch in Newtown, we headed to the airport and said our farewells to Greg.

After a lovely weekend away with friends, we came home and we were greeted by little man who only had eyes for his dad. We had a wonderful weekend away and look forward to the next one!

Mothers Love

Today I received a dreaded phone call from the Director of the day care that little man attends. She was ringing to inform me that little man had been bitten by another child!!

My heart flip flopped and I could have cried then and there except that I was in the medicare line and didn't think that was the time or the place!

As his mother, I am meant to be little man's protector, but where was I? I surely wasn't at work as today is my Thursday off and I wasn't there to defend him or give him the kisses and hugs to make it better.... so at 1pm off I went to collect him and was greeted by huge grins and cuddles from little man....I think he forgave me for not being there to protect him.

This morning has been a morning for bad news, I received a phone call I didn't want to receive shortly before the Director of daycare called so, I thought looking at nice things would cheer me up! So hence, some flowers are on here to brighten up the day!

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, but for now, I will enjoy the flowers!!

Sydney....

W and I have an exciting weekend ahead of us, we are leaving little man with my mum and dad and are heading to Sydney for a friends Engagement party. I haven't been away from little man before over night, but I know he will be in the best possible home having so much fun and being spoilt with love, hugs and kisses.

The other reason we are headed to Sydney is to farewell our friends Greg and Angela who are headed to Japan for a year to teach English. It is a mid career break for them and we are as excited by it as they are. I think W thinks he will get a quick trip to Japan in the next 12 months?!

On the weekend away note, I need a good novel to read on the plane, any thoughts?! Now I am back into my favourite past time of reading, I am keen to find another book to delve into...

Tuesday Thought

Sometimes when one is tired or just simply having a bad day, we get down and think "why me?"

I always try to think there is someone out there who is worse off than me.... I am truly blessed.

" It takes both the rain and the sunshine to make a rainbow"

How very true this is.... Life takes on good and bad aspects, but we all need to be thankful for what we do have in life.

Domestic bliss

Little man and I had a very slow morning, little man slept until 7.15am so I took the opportunity to make myself a cup of tea and return to bed with it. I find this a true luxury and I haven't done it since I was in the late stages of being pregnant.

Once little man woke up, we were off and racing, I made some scones for my mothers group morning tea and I made dinner at the same time, so that this afternoon when I am getting ready for day care tomorrow, dinner is one less thing I have to think about. During all of this, I did 2 loads of washing and put one load in the dryer from yesterday. What is this about? Domestic bliss? Domestic goddess? Nope, just a housewife in the burbs and while I was doing this, no doubt someone else who is reading this now, had a morning like me. And just so you will know.... I wouldn't change a thing!!! I enjoyed my morning of being a domestic housewife. I always do.

After our morning tea with Donna and Elke (everyone seems to be sick at the moment so it was just the four of us), we enjoyed a quiet lunch and afternoon in. It was a lovely morning catching up with Donna, and watching the Elke and little man follow each other around the living room.

Now little man is playing the xylophone....little does he know he has a tune going there!! Maybe he's going to be a musician when he grows up?!

Gratitude

It's time to be thankful; today I am thankful for my family, not just my little family but my extended family too. I hope and wish and pray that they are all surrounded by love, happiness, laughter, fun and success and that a star above in the sky is shining down on each and every one of them now and always.

Oh and on a silly note, I am thankful for learning to play "leap froggy" on my iphone which has had me in stitches for about 15 minutes this afternoon and keeping me amused!! There is nothing better than laughing at the silly things in life!!!

What are you thankful for today?

What a week!!

This week has been quite hectic to say the least!!

Tuesday was spent doing chores for the week and enjoying some time with little man.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I worked - it wasn't too hectic which made it pleasant for one and all!

Saturday, I cleaned and then we headed out for lunch with mum, dad, Adam and Bron at the Hammo Hotel. It was an interesting lunch where we all had heaps to chat about.

Hubby and little man disappeared for a little while into the children's play area where they were found playing on a nintendo consol, (see pic above left). Afterwards we went back to my parents house and chatted some more over afternoon tea.

Hubby has been oncall all weekend which has meant he has taken numerous calls from a client on the coast. Now numerous calls means, he has actually spent HOURS on the phone and computer sorting out issues. At 5pm while writing this on Sunday evening, I am ready to throw his iphone and his laptop into a bucket of water!!

Today we have cleaned (me) some more and worked (hubby) some more.

Little man enjoyed a toasted cheese sandwich for lunch - what a great lunch on a cold winter's day!! He seemed to enjoy it too!! Now we are off to enjoy a roast chicken for dinner!

Oh and yesterday at lunch, little man tried some of my barramundi and enjoyed it!! (this is a big thing as he doesn't seem to like meat or chicken)

I hope you all enjoy your week, we are looking forward to a quieter one!! We are off to Sydney next weekend for an Engagement party. Little man is staying with his Nonna and Pa for the night...

10 months today

Today little man is 10 months old!! I woke up this morning thinking "this time 10 months ago...I was waiting to be seen by the obstetrician, and then we delivered a beautiful tiny baby boy, now look at him, bouncing and so happy!".

Little man has a new word - "PA" - he came out with it yesterday....so his words now are; mum, dad, hello, ball, pa, and Adam.

Little man and I did some chores this morning and then we headed to Nonna and Pa's for a morning cup of tea.

My mum and I decided to have a "yummy yum cha" as my 4 year old cousin, Ed likes to call it. It was lovely sitting and sipping green tea and chatting about the world around us while little man slept. Then we had a quiet afternoon at home.

Oh and we did managed to slip into Oroton and purchase my lovely new bag!!

Now for some quiet time with little man's new books.

I love handbags!!

I love handbags!!

There is not other way to state it. I inherited the vice from my grandmother, no apologies there. I however, love good quality ones, my grandmother didn't.

I also love jewellery! But I will leave that for another day...

I have found 2 new handbags I have on my wish list but there are sadly other more important things higher up the wish list...however W has heard nothing else all weekend but how much one of these 2 handbags would be perfect!!!

The bag above is very reasonably priced and would be perfect especially for the engagement party we are heading to Sydney for....What do you think?

Thankful

As I have said in an earlier post, each night before I go to sleep I think about my day and what I am thankful for.

This weekend I am thankful for our little man (of course I am every day very very thankful of him) but this weekend I am even more so. I work in the nursing world of IVF and each day I am confronted with people and their fertility stories. I come home each night and hug A that little bit tighter. For some reason though, this week has been harder than any other week, with patient stories. I mentioned the other day to a colleague that I have a few friends that are experiencing IVF or have experienced it and they said they had no friends....I wonder why?!

On a happier note, this week I am also grateful for the yummy Thai lunch mum, little man and I enjoyed on Monday and the time I have spent with mum and A this week. There are no low lights this week.

This weekend has been one of chores and peace and tranquility. I had to endure my 2 hour blood test yesterday morning and then hurried home so I could get to Chermside with hubs and little man as I had some birthday gift purchasing to do.

After a yummy home cooked lunch of steak and chips we had a quiet afternoon playing with little man. While he enjoyed an afternoon nap, I enjoyed some quality book time. Then we headed off for late afternoon drinks with my mum, dad, Adam and Bron.

Today is a day of chores and grocery shopping and another yummy lunch, this time of roast chicken on the BBQ, oh and did I mention some more quality book time? I love weekends with the boys!!

Meat and 3 Veg

We are a meat and three vegetable family, however lately it isn't really cutting it for me.

So, tonight I made a new ragu with asparagus and pak choy....it was different and I actually liked it. I need inspiration in the kitchen....I know this but after a long day I tend to just think, meat and veg it is.

I am going to start challenging myself to do at least 3 different dishes every week for the next month....will see how it goes.

On another food note, I am monitoring all sugar I consume (I had gestational diabetes which I think is going to haunt me forever, I need to be careful especially as we would like another baby) I wish I could make some fabulous deserts too, but for me, they are just a treat on a once off occasion....mainly birthdays now I really enjoy a good desert and that's the only time I can allow myself the treat....mmmm I can't wait for my dad's birthday later this month....is it rude to request a desert on his behalf??!!

What do you do when little man goes to day care and you don't go to work?

So, an interesting start to the day....little man went to day care this morning as usual for a Thursday, (I work 5 days a fortnight officially and then pick up the extra Thursday when required)...I wasn't asked to work an extra shift today, so little man went to day care and what was I meant to do??!!!

Well, I was meant to have a blood test that was actually meant to be done 8 weeks ago and it takes 2 hours to do the test so I thought perfect...I will spend the morning doing that...NO!!! I was meant to book in for the test and forgot to do so!! (I have now rebooked for Saturday morning). So, I dropped little man off at day care and for the first time in 2 weeks he didn't cry when I left him!!!! That made me feel so much better!!! Then I headed over to my mum's to collect her as we were off to the Kmart Toy Sale!!!

OMG!!!

When we got to Kmart, we realised it was bigger than Ben Hur. Snaking around Kmart were women and their trolleys waiting to layby all their toys for their children (I am not kidding, we were totally shocked)!!! Mum and I gathered the three toys we had decided on and headed to the check out!! WOW!!!!

I don't think I have ever seen people with so many toys, ladies literally had their trolleys OVERFLOWING with toys! Which leads me to, how many toys does a child need? Our little man surely isn't hard done by but he would prefer to play with the catalogue that he can pull off the couch than a toy, or even better follow us around rather than play with his toys. I wonder why people feel the need for their houses to be covered in toys!? In saying that, my mum purchased little man's Birthday and Christmas gifts (one for each) and I purchased a toy for his first birthday. I sure hope in two months time he enjoys unwrapping his carefully selected toys!!

After our shopping expedition, we went and collected little man and headed home for some lunch. I don't feel that little man needs to be at day care all day when I am at home...and I MISSED HIM!!!! So, now while he sleeps, I am off to clean the house!!