This past week we enjoyed a change of pace and scenery. A time of retreat and renewal in Bateman's Bay. We've all been a little under the weather but feel refreshed anyhow. We didn't take many pictures but had a great time. Jason turned the big 3-5, we had devotional times together, ate freshly cooked eel (which led us to reminiscing about our days in Japan), I went for my first "jog" in . . . well, a long time (it wasn't pretty!), Ella fed the ducks and enjoyed "the bounce" (aka large jumping pillow) and Noah was just along for the ride. He did try to scream the cabin down once or twice but thankfully returned quickly to his laid back self.
On our way home to Wollongong, we stopped by the Murramarang State Park. Got Noah's first picture with the kangaroos and took Ella to the ocean rock pools. Ella is still a little timid around the kangaroos. Fascinated and brave from a distance but not so much once they get in her space (or Mamma's space, or when they try to eat pizza from us). Hopefully it won't be long lasting trauma.
The obligatory kangaroo picture. I know they'll thank me for this picture when they're older! Or at least the relatives in the US will.
In other family news (i.e what's going on with the kiddos) . . . Ella is now in a big bed and has done great with the transition. I am so proud of her. At least once a night though, we find her
under the bed. In fact last night she was so far under the bed that Jason couldn't see her but heard a faint snore coming from under the bed.
The best part about Ella being in a big bed is the night time routine. I love to be able to lay beside her and talk to her about her day, sing to her and pray with her. But no sooner do I end our prayer with "in Jesus' name Amen!" she says "BYE! See you. Night!" . . . and closes her eyes. Its game over for Mum at that point. I'm not complaining, I just can't believe it. The baby days really do slip through your fingers like sand.
Ella recently overcome her fear of the broom. I have no idea why she was afraid of the broom and isn't now. But I entered the living room the other to find this . . .and it suits me just fine!
Never mind the PILES of laundry on the sofas and the general mess of our house. Now if only we can overcome fears of the vacuum cleaner, blender, and vaporizer . . .
Big Boy Noah . . .
Noah's most recent trick involves the coffee table. He'll scoot under it from one side and pop out the other. He usually spends a little time underneath it. I'll hear him cooing and talking away and then out he comes . . .
Noah is sleeping happily in the crib/cot now and there is NO pack-n-play in our room. Noah isn't yet crawling but sure can get around in his own determined way. He is so good at playing by himself. I'm really enjoying this age with him. And I'm enjoying not being pregnant and not making an international move with a 5 month old!
Family expansion . . . Our good friend Greg gave us our first family pets . . . two bearded dragons. These were a gift to commemorate Noah's birth but gave us one for each child. Ella LOVES them. I often find her trying to open their home with the key, or scooting her little sofa up to the glass so she can sit and watch them. She asks after them each morning and after her nap and tell us they eat "kits" (crickets). Any of you who know Jason know that he's also thrilled about the new family members.
Come to think of it, Ella has always been "into" lizards and such. Here she is at 7 months of age with a blue tongue
From the lizards to eating fresh out of the garden, Ella is a girl after her dad's heart in more ways than one . . .
