The boys yesterday after we had been for a morning walk. Lachie's latest unfortunate phrase is "I don't want to".

On Wednesday Jamie & Lachie went with the Greys for a practice ride out at Manawahe. Jamie did an 8km trail ride and reckons its the hardest thing he's ever done! They arrived home at 8.30pm and to my surprise Lachie was still a box of birds.

Lachie opens a present - his new Hot Wheels Transporter is in front of him. I think Jamie was more excited about that!

Fletchie says hello. He has started sucking two fingers on his right hand....he slept from 9pm til 5.30am last night.

Our plum trees are pretty much ready to go (if only the plums were a big bigger). Here's Lachie sampling the fruit.

Happy Christmas and all that...

Its been a busy week, as you can imagine. Its Saturday morning and Jamie has taken Lachie to the Awakaponga Motorcross to watch his cousins ride. Jamie went back to work on Thursday which was a little strange. Fortunately he has two short weeks to get him back into the swing of it. For New Year's Eve he finishes work at 8pm (he will be working over in Opotiki)! Nice & early.

Christmas Day was a bit of a quiet one really. We went to John & Moana's for breakfast, then popped around to Paul & Mel's. I brought the boys home for bed and Jamie went back and had Christmas lunch at their place. In the afternoon the Wintersons and Poppa & Grandma came down - Mum and Dad had driven from Havelock on Christmas morning.

I'll leave it there for now and just post some pictures. Don't they tell a thousand words or something?

White Christmas?

here are pix from a big hailstorm at our place tonight.

Today I visited some of my coffee group friends at Manawahe, so Jamie decided to take me up there and then drive on to Lake Rotoma to see Steve & Ann. I had a great time, and then he picked me up, and we went back to Rotoma and spent the afternoon there.

Here are some lovely photos of my boys. Fletcher is smiling more and talking a wee bit. Lachie is as cheerful as ever.

I went to the last cell group of the year last Thursday night. It was good fun and nice to get out. Its great that both Fletcher and Lachie are in bed by 7.30pm!

Our weekend was pretty uneventful. Jamie helped some friends move on Saturday morning, Sunday was church. Nana popped in on Sunday afternoon. Auntie Freda was in the draw to win the Meikles car so Nana drove her over. After she visited we went out to the berry farm for a bit of afternoon tea (sushi and frozen yoghurt, oh so delicious) and stopped in at the Wintersons on the way home.

Zac came over yesterday morning as Martin had something on at James Street School (as he is on the Board of Trustees). He was very good - I think Lachie wanted to have a bit of a rowdy time but Zac was more interested in reading.

Me and Lachie went to our last Mainly Music of the year this morning. I haven't been for a couple of weeks so I'm glad we went to the last one. It was great to sing Christmas Carols and songs talking about Christmas being about Jesus (as opposed to Santa). If only I had taken Fletcher, he could have been the baby Jesus they put in the manger!! However there was another wee baby boy who did the job instead....

Lachie also went to his last playgroup of the year yesterday and Santa visited. Unfortunately Lachie found Santa scary and didn't want a bar of him! I think quite a few kids felt that way.

We went to the osteopath with Fletcher yesterday. It went fine I guess. Just need to keep Fletcher looking to the left instead of the right. (Did I need to pay an osteopath to tell me that?)

I went out this afternoon and did some more Christmas shopping. It has been so much fun shopping this year! And the great thing is I have bought a few things for Lachie's birthday as well. I have learned a valuable lesson: when you see something that you think will make a great Christmas present, but its only September, buy it anyway! It won't be there when you go back for it. Another thing I have learned is that 'play-doh sets' sell out in a flash. I bumped into Sarah in Whitcoulls (she has tonsilitis!) and we went to The Warehouse together so she could point out the appropriate toy to buy for Ben.

Here are some pix of Lachie as a wee babe & Fletcher. They are both suffering from male pattern baldness.

A fantastic summery day here. I wore shorts all day long! Had the girls around for coffee group today which was lots of fun. Lachie & Riley had a great time playing in the back yard, and then chasing each other around the house.

We won a Wiggles DVD today too! Treasures is running a competition so we have been busy texting in all the codes from our packets of nappies.

Plunket visited today but Fletcher was asleep and I did not want to wake him up.

Also we started wrapping Christmas pressies! We are so looking forward to Christmas this year. OK, will leave it there for now.

An Unauthorised Excursion

Zac and Sarah called around on Friday afternoon. Zac and Lachie were playing outside on their trikes while me and Sarah were inside. And then we noticed the eerie silence....never mind our securely fenced section, Zac had managed to open the gate and he and Lachie and ridden off down the road on their trikes!!!! Sarah went in one direction and me in the other (don't worry, Fletcher was out with Jamie) when they duly appeared from the direction of the dairy with a lady who had found them. What a 'mare! Anyway thank God they turned up safe and sound and quickly, we'll just be keeping an eye out despite the gate.

Saturday Lachie got a lovely new haircut courtesy of Auntie Sarah and in the afternoon we had Riley's 2nd birthday party which was great fun. Sunday I sang with Moana & co, I think it went well....

Today was grocery day. I took Lachie with me today while Fletcher was at home with Jamie, sleeping. He was great company around the supermarket. At one stage he saw some random lady and started saying "Hello Mavis". At least that's what I think he was saying- and he is pretty clear these days! I can only presume he was referring to Mavis from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories. He has had a great afternoon playing in the back yard in the lovely sunshine.

Fletcher isn't enjoying sleeping in the day terribly much. Tomorrow Plunket is coming to visit. He received some looovely gifts in the mail today from Stephanie and Bev.

All the childies are in bed so we shall go and enjoy the evening.

Christmas Comes Early to 224 James St

Me and Jamie got an early Christmas present today - a new Dyson vacuum cleaner (the DC08 model)!! Meikles had a rather outstanding deal on it. The pipe on our old vacuum had split so it wasn't functioning all that well. Jamie has vacuumed the whole house and oh my gosh, I think he filled up at least 3 bags (of our old vacuum) full of dust.

We also bought a new stereo, which I have decreed is not to come out until Christmas Day. It is very cool. Our existing stereo has not played CDs for well over a year and we have just now gotten around to replacing it!

This afternoon I went in to town while the boys were asleep - I was out for two whole hours! It was great. I would never have the left the house for that long when Lachie was the age that Fletcher is at! Got a few Christmas presents. There were big sales at Meikles and Farmers today so the stores were chocka. I wonder, where does one Christmas shop in Sulawesi?

Paul & Mel got a new driveway laid last Friday night, which they still can't drive on. So Mel has been leaving her car on our front lawn. She has been popping in every morning and evening to leave the key (in case the alarm goes off). It has been nice catching up with her at the end of each day! Anyway, today they had a meeting confirming that the HQ of Environment Bay of Plenty (the Regional Council, where she works) is moving to Tauranga. I think about 50 staff will remain here and maybe about 140 going over to Tauranga. She finds out in March whether her job will stay here or go. I gather if they don't want to move they get redundancy. So that is SOOOO bad for Whakatane! I think The Bean especially will be gutted! (FYI The Bean is the coffee place where all the staff at EBOP go for their morning coffee)

Last night I went down to the church to music practice. This Sunday is an "Arts" Sunday so Moana asked me to sing a song with her and a few others. So we rehearsed that.

My boys are good - Lachie is such a chatterbox, his talking is coming along so quickly! Also its been great to see him playing outside. Fletcher, well, he doesn't do too much but he is great. We are taking him to the osteopath next Wednesday on Twink's recommendation - after I pointed out that his right ear appears to be a bit.....munched. He seems to be favouring turning his head to the right. I shall report on how that goes.

It was my last appointment with Twink my midwife today. Fletcher is going great and weighed in at 10lb 13oz. Nearly out of those newborn nappies! Monday & Tuesday he was very unsettled and feeding often and not sleeping. Maybe a growth spurt? But today I got tough! and he is back on track.

Lachie had playgroup and Millsy's house today. She reported that he was very chirpy today.

Yesterday (Tuesday) Jamie & Lachie went over to Lake Rotoma to see Nana & Grandad Kerr. Jamie popped in to Rotorua and did a bit of Christmas shopping. I had my coffee group so me and Fletcher stayed here.

As I wasn't feeling that great over the weekend going to church was about the only thing we did.
Auntie Jan visited on Monday (bearing some lovely gifts). Also on Sunday, Karen Fahey gave Fletcher a lovely blanket that I believe she hand knitted herself. I must take a photo and post it.

I can't remember when I last posted so I won't risk repeating myself. Let me see what I can find in my photo archives...

Here is Lachie who decided to make his bed on the floor sometime after midnight the other night. We have taken the side off his cot so he now has a "toddler bed". For the most part he has adjusted well.

ps. Have you seen my "site meter" and Christmas countdown ticker at the bottom of the page?

Saturday

I haven't been up to much today (or indeed, the last 3 days). If I didn't have a cold, I would feel on top of the world. I went to bed at 8pm last night and Fletcher only woke twice - 11pm and 3.30am. I should be right by tomorrow. Jamie has got me taking his vitamins and I bought an awful spirulina drink yesterday which supposedly contains 180% of the vitamin C one requires per day. I also dashed out to Julians Berry Farm and got a boysenberry frozen yoghurt to go, yummmmmm.

This morning Jamie and Lachie went to the Christmas Parade while I got a bit of rest.

On Thursday K-Mart opened out at the new Hub shopping centre so we joined the throngs to have a look. Well, it was never going to be as good as the one at St Lukes or Bayfair, was it? But it was disappointingly small. The range is really limited - NO TOY SECTION! Masses of clothes and TWO fitting rooms. Puhleeze. Still, that didn't stop me from spending money there.

Twink came on Wednesday and weighed Fletcher. 10 lb 2 oz. He has nearly gained a kilogram. And he is one month old on Monday!

Tuesday

Hi there. I am just sitting here waiting for Fletcher to wake up,as he is due to be fed. We were out all morning at Abby's, while Jamie & Lachie went and played with Jason and Riley. A good time had by all! Jamie has had to pop in to work for (supposedly) half an hour.

Speaking of police work, he did a bit last night as well. Our car was on the road and the lady next door saw some kids trying to pull off the shade sock (for Fletcher) from the rear window. So she yelled at them to leave it, they left, and she came and told Jamie. He went for a drive and found them in Riverside Drive. He must have told them to sit down (which they did) while he called the police. Anyway it turns out they had already broken in to three cars down James St. And they had a bag of stolen stuff on them. Just intermediate age kids.

We had a good weekend - Saturday was pretty quiet, we just sat around most of the day. But church on Sunday was great with Martin & Sarah being "ordained" or "inducted" or whatever you call it. We left straight after the service so me, Lachie & Fletcher could all have naps! At 4pm we went out to Manawahe for a coffee group BBQ.

Anyhoo my baby is crying.

Twink visited yesterday afternoon and weighed Fletcher. He is now 9lb 80z so he has gained a pound in two and a half weeks. He is doing well, I am getting up 3 times in the night, though the third time is usually between 5am - 6am. I went to Mainly Music in the morning with just Lachie and Fletcher stayed home with Jamie. It was a very warm afternoon yesterday so Jamie got the hose out for Lachie. Today it is just windy.

Wednesday me and Jamie popped in to town after dropping Lachie off at Millsy's. We ended up having coffee with a couple of guys from his work, one who is currently have treatment for leukemia at Waikato Hospital. Then in the afternoon he went to a dog training afternoon, but he was home by 8pm.

We also ended up going for a walk on Wednesday afternoon with the pram - it takes a lot to steer so I should have good arms if I use it frequently!

Hi all. It is already 2pm here, where has the day gone...Jamie has mowed the lawn so it looks just lovely. I went up to Abby's this morning for coffee with her, Sarah & Janey. So that was a lovely morning. And Jamie & Lachie had a couple of blokes around here!

We picked up our pram from the upholsterer yesterday so we may take that for a spin this afternoon. It definitely does not have off-road capabilities! So we will be sticking to the footpaths.

Bye for now.

Twosies

Saturday morning, Jamie & Lachie have just gone for a walk. If our pram was finished at the upholsterers me and Fletcher could have gone as well! However Fletchie has just nodded off next to me. And there's nothing like a bassinet for sleeping in. I don't like putting him in his carseat because it looks so uncomfortable.

Not terribly much new to report, we are pretty much staying close to home. Yesterday we were both very tired as Jamie went to training with the dog handlers in Tauranga and did not get home until 1am Friday morning.

Today's Top Tip: there's nothing like Janola Anti bacterial wipes for cleaning up baby poo off the changing table!

Midnight, 6am, 3am

That was last night's routine anyway. I think Fletcher has started a pleasing habit of doing a four-hour stint during the first part of the night. Which of course will get longer and longer!

Jamie had to take Lachie to Mainly Music this morning as me and Fletcher were not up and organised enough.

Yesterday Jamie won a prize on Radio One Double X - yes, he was caller number 3. He had a choice of prize and he won a cooking book for kids. It looks like it is something suitable for like an 8 year old I think. Still, maybe we're on a winning roll.

Jamie is at training for work this afternoon so it is just me and my boys! Better go and see to them.

The week so far

Lachie is at daycare at the moment so the house has been pretty quiet this morning. So I got a bit of extra rest.

Yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon we went for a drive to take our pram with toddler seat to the upholsterer to get some domes fixed so we can use the thing. Hopefully that will be done this week some time. On the way home we saw the Westpac Air Ambulance coming in so we drove to the hospital to see it land. The pilot saw Jamie & Lachie watching so he invited them over for a look! He was very friendly and told them lots of stuff about it. Quite exciting. Pity I didn't have my camera handy. However, not so exciting for the person who had been kicked in the head by a horse and required neurosurgery at Waikato.

Here are some pictures of Lachie from Monday, he was busy picking the flowers by the garage and fell into the rose bush. Ouch!

One Week On..

Fletcher was checked out and weighed by Twink today and he is going great. He has gained 4 ounces, so now 8lb 12oz.

I am very thankful for my wonderful husband who is doing so much for us at the moment (well, all the time of course), and also for my beeyutiful wee boys.

I am a bit tired, as one would expect! and finding it a bit difficult to rest. I just get stressed out if I am not falling asleep. Otherwise everything is going tremendously well!

More Fletchie pics

I'm guessing that you have all seen the photos on www.fletcherkerr.blogspot.com

Here are a few more.

One of our new church signs

Here is a picture of the new signs at church I said I would post..

Guy Fawkes Celebrations & Church

We started our weekend with a trip over to the Ohope Craft Market. We hadn't been for a couple of months and it was such a beautiful morning. And you run in to all sorts of people you know. We got some plants to make a hedge for the back garden - at this stage they really blend in with the bark so you can hardly see them. Oh well, I'm sure they'll turn out looking great.

We paid another visit to the berry farm in the afternoon to share a boysenberry frozen yoghurt.

We celebrated Guy Fawkes a night early at Martin & Sarah's. Unfortunately I have no pictures of the occasion. We went down at 7pm for a bit of dessert before it got dark and Martin did a great job as "firework master". Lachlan was a bit nervous at first but by the end of the night he was enjoying himself. It was a late night for him (after 9pm) but as a result we actually got a sleep in this morning until 8am! Then after a combination of a late night and a busy Sunday morning he wasn't 100% this afternoon. He fell down the stairs off the deck and grazed his forehead. Here is a picture of the damage, I'm not sure if you can see it very well.

Today after church there was an open day at Bethel House. Me and Jamie went along, and boy what a great turnout there was! And I've just got home from evening service where Sarah preached up a storm.

Well, we shall see how our week progresses....

Friday

Martin hunts for the cricket ball.

What a pair of cuties! Zac was very tired when we visited.

The picture Ben did on the computer

Another pretty quiet day here. I went to see Twink at the annexe at 11am and was on the CTG for half an hour - nothing much to report there. I am seeing her again on Monday, surely I should have a baby by Tuesday?

In the afternoon we popped around to the Wintersons for a visit. Martin was home today while Sarah was working. The boys played a very short game of cricket. Ben wasn't overly keen on having his photo taken but he did want me to take a picture of the picture he did on the computer. We also went and saw John & Moana's new doors, which look fabulous.

We've had an early dinner and gone for an evening walk. Enjoy the photos.

A Pinch & a Punch for the First of the Month

An outstanding day weather wise here. Lots of sunshine and the wind wasn't as strong as it has been. Me and Jamie had a quiet one, we dropped Lachie off at playgroup at 9.30am. We moseyed around for the rest of the day doing very little. We went out to lunch at Cafe Surfside over at the beach. After that Jamie got my lounger out for me and I got a bit of sun on the deck.

I have just been for a twilight walk around the block. Kept it nice and slow. Anyway here is the picture of the dog kennel. (I know, you've been dying to see it). Its not quite like any other kennel I've seen. I feel a bit sorry for the dog as he doesn't have much of a view of things, especially being down the side of the house. So we may yet move it.

A Day to "Win" Stuff

Firstly, a warm welcome to our Indonesian readers....

I had Abby & Sarah over for coffee this morning (and Karen, briefly) with their babies, which was great fun. Who knows whether I will be up to it next Tuesday..... While they were here Jamie took Lachie to the beach for a run around.

Later in the afternoon the new dog kennel arrived - it took several blokes to lift the thing. I will have to take a picture of it and post it on here. Fortunately it fits down the side of the house so my eyes aren't assaulted with the view of it as I look out the kitchen window.

Got my first birthday card today, from Lone Star Restaurant. Apparently I can have a free meal there in the month of November, so long as I bring at least three friends.....

Then I got a call from a local photographer tonight - I had entered her competition at the Whakatane Business & Leisure Show to win $500 worth of family portrait. Anyway, apparently I am the runner up (I didn't know there was 2nd prize) and have won $50 toward a portrait and a photo shoot to the value of $150. Does that mean that my family portrait will now cost only about $400 instead of say, $600?? I shall have to make further enquiries. They wanted to book the sitting time on the phone tonight but I said (a) I will have to speak to my husband and (b) I am expecting a new baby shortly. They are going to call back later in the month.

You've got to be inventive to drum up business these days!

It looks like we finally have new neighbours next door. They have had the key for weeks as we have seen a van coming and going dropping stuff off. Yesterday we saw a great big removal truck in the driveway, and then another big one today (they must have a lot of stuff). Me and Jamie had been praying that a young family would move in and I am hearing the sound of children's voices (and seeing their swing set and kiddie pool over the fence)!

Jamie was at The Light Party tonight, helping Grant run a game. I only got one lot of trick or treaters knocking on the door and I didn't bother answering. Catch y'all later.

An Uneventful Meeting with My Midwife

It was Monday, grocery day today. Me & Lachie got an early start by dropping Jamie off at work. Yes, he is on leave, but he had some training today - on stuff which 'expires' so he decided today would be a good day to do it and get up to date.

I dropped Lachie off with Zac and Martin at 11.45, which he was very pleased about. He loves playing at the Wintersons, there are so many wonderful toys there! I headed to the maternity annexe to be monitored on the CTG for half an hour. All is well with baby, nothing much to report really. Except that we suspect this will be a November baby! I have put it out of my mind for this week anyway.

Church yesterday was great. Sarah and the team did a great job of leading the worship and we had a guest speaker from Manukau City New Life Church who spoke to us from Psalm 127 (Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain....).

I can hear Lachie chatting in his bed, and Jamie is just out giving the dog a run around. Catch you again soon!

A Quiet Weekend So Far

The weather has been pretty iffy here today. We went to the beach briefly this afternoon and it was quite chilly! The only other thing we've done today is go out to Postie Plus where I bought some new pyjamas for myself. Oh, and I got a Baby Names book out of the library (just to finalise matters in that department).

Yesterday afternoon Ben and Zac came over after Ben finished school and all the boys had an iceblock together (unfortunately I didn't snap a picture), and ran around. A short one today. Enjoy my shots of Lachie at the playground by the beach and of Whale Island.

Fabulous Friday!

There's something about a Friday, even if you are not working! Still early here, but Lachie & Jamie are out for a walk.

Yesterday me and Lachie started off our day at Mainly Music. (Mainly Music is run by the Baptist Church, it is 1/2 hr of singing songs with the kids and then 1/2 hour of morning tea/playtime). I can see that Lachie is really enjoying it this term. He likes to run around (he used to be really shy and just watch) and is starting to do some of the actions to the songs. He was really great yesterday, sooo obedient. I am seeing the benefits of him going to playgroup on the Wednesday, eg the kids have to sit on the mat to have their morning tea and he doesn't find that a problem. Also he had no problem following the instruction to pack away the 'shakers' required for one of the songs.

Jamie trimmed the hedge yesterday afternoon so it is looking very tidy here! After Lachie's nap we went to the park by New World.

I bought some pyjama pants from Ezibuy that were too big, so I returned them yesterday. What a rip off - I paid $16.95 for the pants, $4 for postage, and then $3.50 postage to return them. So $7.50 expenditure for ZIP!! They don't charge if you do an exchange, but there are none in my size left. I might send an e-mail to complain! (Golly, this is the second 'consumer issue' I have posted on this blog...). Have a good day all.

Wednesday, a busy day for the Kerrs!

I have been at work today. I think it will be my last day for a while, Peter has not been giving me as much work (which is good) and I am all up to date with the monthly Trust gifting. I have worked myself out of a job!

Lachie is with Millsy (his carer) as normal for a Wednesday. She is dropping him off today, so that will save me a trip to Coastlands.

Jamie has had a good day too - so far on his leave (all two days of it!) he has, amongst other things, stained the outdoor furniture, waterblasted the fence and mowed the lawn! Also this morning he went to the beach with a mate where they walked their dogs and even finished off with a coffee at Cafe Surfside. Very nice.

Yesterday we put Lachie down for his nap a bit earlier, which proved very successful as he slept for three hours. We were pleased and he was a very happy chappy when he woke up. Last night we went to John & Moana's for dinner, where he happily played with some cars the boys got out for him and then went to bed in his porta cot without a peep! He's a bit of a wonder!

Also yesterday I saw Twink - all is well with baby. My next appointment is next Monday at the maternity annexe where she will put me on the CTG. I can't remember what that stands for but it monitors baby's heart rate and contractions (if any!).

I shall leave you with pictures of Lachie polishing off his Weetbix all by himself this morning! Love Dale.

Labour Day in Whakatane, but no labour for me!

It is almost 8pm and we have just got home from Lake Rotoma. We headed over this morning at 10am. At 12.30pm we left Lachie with Nana Ann and went to Rotorua. We had Thai for lunch, then went into Rebel Sport where we got Jamie a new pair of cross trainers at 50% off. It doesn't get much better than that! Had a bit of afternoon chocolate cake at Fat Dog Cafe where they chucked on the stat hol 15% surcharge. I have decided that is soooo rude, as no one else adds a surcharge, just some cafes and restaurants!

Lachie is doing much better. Yesterday (Sunday) he was a basket case when he woke up from his nap. Then all of a sudden I seemed to distract him with an iceblock and he saw that the rugby (Wanganui v Wairarapa Bush) was on and he was pretty excited about that. All of a sudden he was a different boy. Thank God for that! Also I noticed that he had cut another tooth so I imagine the iceblock helped with that. He got a hair cut today from Ann's friend Wendy so he is looking much tidier.

Yesterday at church our lovely new signs were up! Must take a picture and post it on here. Byee.

The Berry Season has Begun!

Jamie is just feeding Lachie dinner. He hasn't been eating hardly a thing for the last 3 days. Still, I think he is improving.

This afternoon we went out to Julian's Berry Farm, which opened today for the season. We got some sushi and shared a boysenberry frozen yoghurt. There were so many people coming and going! Its such a great spot. Then we popped around to the Wintersons on the way home. The boys are camping out in a tent on the lawn this weekend. Unfortunately it hasn't been summer berry weather, just in the last hour it looks as if it is threatening to rain...

This morning I had to move at some speed to catch Lachie before he ran on to the road, so I have a bit of a sore belly!

Yesterday the people came to collect the desk they bought off us on Trade Me. What a giggle! They live in Tauranga and have just moved over from Chicago. I gather they didn't realise quite how far away Whakatane was - she sent me an email at 10.45am saying "we are running a bit late, see you at 11.30am"........they turned up at 12.30pm! They were driving a station wagon and I was sure the desk would not fit in the back (she told me they hadn't bothered to measure up!) fortunately it did.....they wanted a hand lifting it seeing as he had a bit of a bad back (sorry, this pregnant lady ain't helping).....and then they needed some rope to tie down the boot as it wouldn't close properly! I found some in the garage to give them. Hopefully they made it home OK!!

I'm Sick Grandma

Hi again. Just sitting here at the compooter on what seems like a really nice Friday morning. Its Jamie's last day today before his leave starts.

Yesterday was a bit of a let down for me and Lachie. We were all set to head off to Mainly Music at 9.15 and I could not find the key to the red car! How frustrating. I had a decent look but had no luck, and of course it was too late to walk. And I'm not up to walking that far anyway lately! I even started to look through the wheelie bin! So we went for a walk around the block instead. It was probably a blessing in disguise as Lachie wasn't overly well, so I probably protected a whole lot of other kids from coming down with the same thing. It started with a cough and now he has a runny nose too. He just had a cold before we came to visit you Mum! So please pray that I don't get it as well.

Anyway, I finally found the car key (once Jamie got home) in the glove box of the gold car. I must have put it there after doing a carseat swap around on Monday.

Last night I went off to cell group - it was mainly a casual sort of evening, we were putting together Christmas gift shoe boxes for kids in Fiji/Solomon Islands. A group of us girls put together a box for a 2-4 girl and well, I would be pretty excited to get all the goodies we put in there! Girls are so easy to shop for. Lots of fun.

Well I might head off down to the dairy with Lachie and purchase that illustrious publication, the Friday Beacon. People coming at 11am to pick up the desk they bought from us on Trade Me.

Keeping Busy

Hi all. The middle of the week is here already! Its a nice Wednesday evening. I have had a busy day - up early to get ready for work. We left a bit earlier this morning to go to the airport beforehand to say goodbye to Malcolm & Lynley. Sniff sniff. Was glad I got out there. I popped around to Sarah's this afternoon and I think she was feeling a bit sad about it all. Work was good, at last I have no lingering jobs waiting for me. I felt like I wouldn't be there for a while. Hopefully I am right! Although I did bring some work home.

Yesterday (Tuesday) I went to Abby's for coffee with her and Sarah. We had a great time! Lachie was sooo tired when we got home. After his nap Grandad Kerr took him down to The Heads were there was a Coastguard/Airforce exercise. I gather they were winching people off boats on the river etc. Sounded pretty exciting!

Monday it was raining here but I managed to do my grocery shopping without getting wet. So I have had a nice busy week!

We seem to be all ready for the baby - got the bassinet up, the baby bath back from the people who borrowed it, a baby carseat, clothes washed etc. I haven't got a hospital bag packed but I have got a drawer full of stuff ready, with instructions to Jamie to throw everything in said drawer, into bag, once in labour!

Here is a pic of me, taken tonight, 39 weeks, 2 days!

Sunday Night

Tonight, me Jamie & Lachie all went to church in the evening. We were on duty today. However me and Lachie left the service early to get him home to bed. He is so great how he obediently rushes off to the bathroom to get his teeth brushed and then in to the kitchen to have a drink and rinse his mouth! Also he is starting to repeat different words that he hears you say.

Malcolm & Lynley's farewell service was this morning which went really well. Lynley spoke briefly before Malcolm preached and she did a great job. After that our afternoon went really quickly.

Last night our quiz night at the station went well. It was to raise money for a guy he works with, whose wife has breast cancer (they are only our age!). It was a long night (well, 11.30pm is late for me) but good fun. Our team could only take out fourth place....Lachie went to Paul & Mel's and by all accounts was perfectly wonderful.

I should go and do some jobs. Jamie should be home shortly! Love from Dale.

Saturday Lunch

Hello on Saturday afternoon. We just got home from Grant & Abby's who had a lunch to say thanks to all the people who cooked a meal for them after Joseph was born. It was a really nice afternoon out. The Wintersons were there too. See pix!

Tonight we are off to a quiz night at Jamie's work so that will be interesting.

Yesterday was an amazing warm day. Me and Lachie did jobs in time in the morning. Then once he woke up from his nap we went over to the beach. We shared a chocolate icecream, had a brief stint on the playground and then went for a walk on the beach. I wish I had taken the camera. Lachie was a bit nervous at first about walking on the sand but he soon got used to it. He is such a little treasure..... At the moment he is asleep after all the excitement of the afternoon. He fell asleep in the car.

This morning he went with his Nana Kerr to the Presbyterian Fair at the War Memorial Hall. I gather he had a great time. He came home with a balloon. He saw his great-Poppa there and his great auntie Jill (who I think has a bit of a soft spot for our boy).

Our auction on our desk closed this afternoon and only went for $16!! We were hoping there would be a bidding war as there were a number of 'watchers'. Oh well!