Crawling Club

Today Lilah and I went to crawling club for the first time. She had a lot of fun. Here are some pics!

Lilah's Dedication

Firey February

As most of you would have heard by now, our country is engulfed in the worst bush fires in history. It is expected that the death toll may get to 300, and thousands of people are homeless after their small towns were ravaged by fires that hit like a nuclear weapon, destroying everything in their path. We have been saddened and touched by all of the stories of loss, heroics and hope.

This month has been a very hot month, but no where near as hot in Brisbane as it has been down south where the fires are (it got up to almost 120 degrees there).

Lilah is growing everyday and now says quite a few words: Mum, Dad, Lilah, hello, 'b' (for bird), ear, 'Nan' (for Nanook her toy husky dog) etc. She's really adventurous, and we can't leave anything on the floor anymore. She likes to crawl all over the place, and is finally starting to eat really well also. She laughs a lot, and just grinned at me while I am typing this, crinkling her eyes up (which she thinks is very funny) - her latest facial expression.

Eric has been very busy at work over the past couple of months. He had his largest camp recently, Jan Camp, where several hundred young people camp under large canvas shelters, swim, play games, and worship. Lilah and I went out there one morning but it was far too hot for us - Lilah looked like she'd been swimming after a 20-minute nap - so we went home. The camp went really well though, despite the heat. Here is a video of how it went.

Just before Jan camp, Lilah was dedicated at our church. She wore the dress that I was dedicated in when I was about her age. It was a lovely service, and afterwards we went to our favourite Chinese restaurant with friends and family. We had a really nice day.

I am back at work now, 3 days per week. It's going really well, and I'm actually enjoying the variety in my week. We have my Mum and a Nanny doing two days each week, and then Eric has Lilah on Fridays. So he's getting lots of bonding time, and Lilah is able to stay at home while I'm at work, and she is really enjoying her time with Grandma and her Dad. And I'm really appreciating the time that I get to spend with her even more now that it's less than before.

I have to do some travelling for work, and have already been to Sydney once, but nothing over night yet. That will no doubt happen soon, and we're not sure how we'll cope with that just yet.

December

Here are some photos and movies for November and December. At 6 months old now, Lilah is very active and playful - it's such a precious age!

With Mum at 'Mum's group' (we meet in a cafe)...



















Swimming for the first time...














Laying around in my room














This busy life is tiring!



















On a picnic with friends in the park.

My first time in the Jolly Jumper!

Chatting with Mum and Dad first thing in the morning...

October...

Last week Lilah and I visited Grandma and Grandpa at Banora Point. Here is Grandma holding Lilah, at 4 months old.

I also took some photos of Mum and Dad's new house. It is pretty close to being finished and is looking great.



































Grandma playing with Lilah...

















This is where Lilah slept at Grandma and Grandpa's house...

More movies and photos...

Watching the Bulldogs play with Dad!

3 months old

Lilah is now 3 months old, and getting bigger and more adorable every day. She's sleeping really well now, and is only waking one time in a 11-12 hour period some nights.

We went to Coffs Harbour (a beautiful beach-side town about 5 hours south of where we live) last weekend for Aunty Marg's 60th birthday. It was our first overnight trip with Lilah, and she did really well considering she was sleeping in a strange cot in a strange room. She also slept for the entire trip there and back which made it so easy for us - we just woke her up for a feed when it was time and then she went straight back to sleep again.

It was great to catch up with the family, which is growing every year, unfortunately the weather was freezing cold and wet. That didn't stop the cricket game though...

Here is Eric batting...

Lilah with Uncle Chris - see how bundled up she is? it was windy, freezing and raining...

Andy gives Noah a flying lesson while Fiona and Mitchell watch...

Andy is in for a bat, as Dad and Uncle Chris watch from the sidelines...

Aunty Marg and her sister enjoy a chat, while Nanna watches the game.

Girl talk for some, but Mum opts to play cricket...

Time to cut Aunty Marg's cake, and it was Fiona's birthday as well...

Fiona and the kids play in the sand, while Mark bowls...

Lilah with cousin Angela.

Eric and Lilah on his first Father's Day, 7 Sept 2008.

I can enjoy Father's day too!
Lilah loves her doll, Polly.

Here is a little movie of Lilah sitting outside today, enjoying the lovely weather and nature on our back deck.