Life under a Pepper Tree

Here we are at the end of another year of photos. It's gone by just ever so fast.  I can't say it's been a good year, but looking back at the photos taken, at least these can make me smile.  Not sure if I can do another year. Maybe.... we'll see! Dylan - Happy 4th Birthday little buddy.  We held your party on the Sunday, and here, 2 days later you officially were 4.  No time nor inclination to make another cake, so you got one of the left over Transformers cupcakes and a candle to blow out.  And you were happy with that.  Looking ever so much more grown up now.  My beautiful big boy. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan - Here you are on Christmas eve at your Poppy's house exactly 9 months old.  You sat up at the table for our lunch and shovelled in handfuls of avocado and bread like such a good boy.  I wish you'd had a bigger nap, but after food, cuddles with your cousins and a swim in the pool you were...

Dylan: One cheeky sweet boy with his best friends at his Transformers 4th birthday party. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan: Cuddles with Grandma on the day he learnt to crawl (18 December 2016). A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Bel

Dylan: Another year of daycare is basically over. Here he is on the morning of his Christmas party and ever so excited!   A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan: Hot days mean time inside in the air con with just a nappy on! He's been rocking back and forth, getting into a bit of a crawling position, but not quite right just yet. It can't be long now before he is off and racing! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Bel

Dylan:  On holidays in Noosa and you just loved going down to the river and to dig in the sand.  Looking so much more grown up this year compared to last year .  Dusty the aeroplane singlet still gets requested often, don't think it will last until next summer though! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan:  We tried to keep some form of routine away on our holiday, but you still needed your naps.  And you took them when needed, in this case, right after a swim at Noosa beach under the sun shelter!  You were still in your wet swimmers wrapped up in your towel.  The warm breeze, and the sound of the waves could put me to sleep too given half a chance!  Also, you started babbling this week.  As the days went on it definitely sounded much like "Da da". A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Bel

Dylan:  Your first attempt at fishing.  We managed to squeeze in your new fishing rod into the car for our holiday to Noosa.  You enjoyed it for a few moments before asking why we hadn't caught anything yet.  I would have loved to see your reaction if we had caught anything! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan:  You did really very well in the car on the long drive north.  You really only started grizzling when you were overdue for a feed.  Once we arrived we got into your new little swimmers and headed off for your very first swim in a pool.  You weren't so sure at first, but you certainly didn't scream and seem to hate it either. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Bel

Dylan:  One of the many bonuses of having a baby brother, the frequent availability of nappy boxes!  This time you also got the baby wipes box too.  Your favourite soft toy of the day, a very special Christmas teddy bear got to be your passenger in your little train.  Just listening to you make your train sounds and hear you talk about what the train was doing and travelling past made me smile.  I love your little imagination. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan:  Pudgy thighs.  Rolls. Fat fingers and toes.  Such a gorgeous stage you're at right now. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Bel

Dylan: You are Daddy's little boy with your toy Kombi's.  A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan:  Playtime is great, especially when you can get your hands on your big brother's toys. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Bel

Dylan - We recently found another park nearby. It's walking distance from home for me, but for you it's a little bit of a stretch. I took you there once Tristan was napping so we could have some time together.  You LOVED it! The park has some great equipment to play on, but you've also been using your imagination. We've been Transformers together, and walked along the balance beam avoiding the sharks and crocodiles underneath our feet.  We've chased away the birds and pretended we were in boats on the water.  Walking home together you get tired and ask me to carry you, but a quick diversion and you are happily trotting along beside me. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan - Dylan and I got back from the park hoping we'd still have some time to play before you awoke.... but no. Up and awake and Daddy was minding you in the garage while he worked.  You were all smiles as you hung your arm out the window or clutched the steering...

Dylan - There's just so much going on right now, it's no wonder you get all cranky and defiant of late.  We had your friend Rory's 4th birthday party a couple of weeks ago, and now you are counting down the days until Jaxon's 4th birthday party this coming weekend.  So much excitement! And now we have a family holiday booked as something to look forward to, and not to mention your own 4th birthday.  This coming week we are sending you off to swimming lessons for the first time. You've been a bit worried about it, but we just keep having to reassure you that you'll be just fine and I'll be watching you from the side of the pool.  Today we've got a Halloween party to go to at your daycare. I can't wait to see you all dressed up with the other kids.  Not that I like Halloween, I just want to see you happy and involved in the festivities.  With the warmer weather this past weekend, after your nap we enjoyed a cheeky ice block. Of course you chose...

Dylan - You followed me around with my camera this afternoon.  I had to stop and smile for you.  Your camera shows pictures from some nursery rhymes, one being Humpty Dumpty which you learnt the words at Kindy recently.  Later you told me in a very concerned voice that when you grew up, you did NOT want to be Humpty Dumpty cos they put him up on a wall and he fell off! Of course having accidents like Humpty Dumpty usually then brings out references to blood and "getting dead", just like Poppy.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016   Tristan - Another milestone achieved!  With only an inch or so of room left in the bassinette attachment of the pram, it was time to let it go and get you upright and looking out at everyone.  We dug out the seat attachment for the pram and got it all figured out again.  Since then we've taken you out twice in the pram and you've been enjoying...

Dylan - Some days we swing from crazy 3 year old silliness, through to deep questions and detailed conversations.  Its days like these I realise how grown up you really are.  Your 4th birthday is just around the corner now and I guess I need to just enjoy the last of your toddler-like behaviours.   A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016  Tristan - Look who learnt to sit up!  It's a whole new world now. I guess the next steps will be off and crawling, but please slow down!! I need you to just be my sweet baby for a bit.  Those first few months were awful and I really didn't enjoy it.  But I'm hoping things are finally falling into place now.  A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016  Joining in with Jodi and Project 52. Bel

Dylan - I'm really really liking this quiet independent play you seem to be doing a bit more of lately.  Its just what I need when I'm having such terrible sleeping periods from Tristan.  You are just enjoying all these puzzles that you have been set up with lately.  Makes me proud to see you relish the achievement  of completing each one. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan - All you want to do is be upright! Laying down on the playmat with your toys just doesn't keep you as occupied as it used to.  So we dug out the old walker and set you up in it.  There's a whole new world of things to look at upright!  A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Joining in with Jodi and Project 52. Bel

The long weekend came and went.  Hubby was on his annual trip to QLD for VW drag racing, and I was faced with my longest stint at home parenting 2 kiddies on my own.  I will say that I think most things got done in a reasonable manner, but some things I just had to let slide.  Everyone got fed, clothed and bathed and ultimately we survived, although it certainly left me with a feeling of needing some time away on my own.  I just hope that I can organise a few days away before going back to work next year.  I can't see anything happening this side of Christmas as there is just too much going on, not to mention Tristan is still breastfeeding and refuses our attempts at taking a bottle.  Dylan - We headed up to my Mum's place on the Sunday of the long weekend.  You had a ball.  Whether it was doing puzzles with Grandpa, riding his ride-on mower, walking with Grandma and I to see the cows, or having another sneaky biscuit you just lov...

Dylan - you are currently obsessed by "reading" through the junk mail catalogues that come every week.  Of course anything with toys in it is a winner, but even just going through the supermarket ones is exciting as you name all the items you can see.  I know at daycare they have already been speaking about Christmas, and so your understanding of Santa bringing presents is clearly evident.  I'm sure you'll have your wish list sorted in no time! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan - just chilling on the cushions on the lounge while you brother sits nearby.  The fact that you lay there for more than a minute without whinging was a miracle in itself.  We hadn't done enough washing and so I had you in an old singlet under your clothes, rather than the press stud in the crotch singlet suits.  So laying back your singlet rose up with your top, your pants came down, and a sweet little belly poked out in the middle! A port...

Dylan - You just cannot wait til your little friend grows up and you can play together.  I just know you'll be such a fantastic, caring, and protective big brother. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Tristan - Any attention you get from your big brother you just lap up and you are all smiles.  Except for this shot; I think you were a bit stunned and just didn't know what was going on!! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Joining in with Jodi and Project 52. Bel

Last week I attempted to get back into a bit of cooking.  Wasn't exactly the best idea trying to do bits and pieces in between naps, but we got there, kind of... I whipped up a batch of chocolate coconut balls which have been super popular with Dylan and hubby.  Anything chocolate seems to do well around here.  I also attempted my first batch of lactation cookies.  I based them off a recipe I found online, but didn't want to stick with the standard addition of choc chips, in case they became too tempting for everyone else in the household!  So after rummaging through my cupboards I decided date and almond seemed a nice option, and used up the bits and pieces I had that needed eating. Totally doing a good deed there! Ha!  They turned out pretty well I think, not overpowering on the brewers yeast, but sweet and tasty, and a good snack option for me. Speaking of food, I've tried to ramp up the solids for Tristan.  He's still not much of a fan of solids....

Sunday was another of those difficult days to get through.  It was Fathers Day, the first one since my Dad passed away in June.  I was tired and cranky and I just didn't want to do "adulthood".  In the late afternoon I managed to slip outside with my cup of tea while the boys were both napping and just be on my own.  I sat in the afternoon sun and just wept.  I thought of all the things I'll miss about my Dad.  I still just can't believe he is gone. I wasn't the only one having a bad day. Hubby had been in a foul mood all weekend, Dylan was being a pain and Tristan has been cranky and out of sorts since Friday morning.  I just couldn't wait for the day to end. Tristan put me into a false sense of achievement mid last week.  He was napping like a champion, often 2 hours+ at a time, and even the night feeds seemed to be better and less frequent.  He was happy, he began a little grizzle signifying bedtime and he'd be put into bed and out lik...

Late again. Tristan - your favourite thing to do lately is lie on your back and stick your feet up in the air. You kick, and shuffle yourself around where ever you have been put down.  Your not quite in the same spot that I left you.  Lovely little kicking leggies. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Dylan - Scootering around in the sunshine made you happy.  You like it when I watch you and you pretend to fall over and be a bit silly.  Gosh you are getting so big now.  Where have the last 3 and a half years gone?  I swear you were my weeny boy only 5 minutes ago! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Joining in with Jodi and Project 52 . Bel

We've had some lovely "spring-like" weather during this past week.  Great weather for sitting in the sunshine, walks at the park, and picnic lunches in the backyard.  I wish that the night times had been as enjoyable.  Tristan continues to "snack feed" constantly through the day, and so as much as I'd like him to have one big feed before bedtime to stretch him out a bit longer, it just isn't happening.  Night feeds have been just a bit too regular, often 2 to maybe 3 hours apart, so by the early mornings I am just exhausted and not willing to get up and start the day. We had one day during the week where we got to have some family time.  Hubby went to work in the morning with my car, then dropped it off to get serviced.  He was home again before lunch and considering the weather was just so stunning, we went and picked up some takeaway lunch and headed to a nearby park which runs besides the river.  It was so lovely in the sunshine, and just the...

When I get older losing my hair Many years from now Will you still be sending me a valentine Birthday greetings, bottle of wine? If I'd been out till quarter to three Would you lock the door? Will you still need me, will you still feed me When I'm sixty-four? You'll be older too And if you say the word I could stay with you I could be handy, mending a fuse When your lights have gone You can knit a sweater by the fireside Sunday mornings go for a ride Doing the garden, digging the weeds Who could ask for more? Will you still need me, will you still feed me When I'm sixty-four? Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight If it's not too dear We shall scrimp and save Grandchildren on your knee Vera, Chuck & Dave Send me a postcard, drop me a line Stating point of view Indicate precisely what you mean to say Yours sincerely, wasting away Give me your answer, fill in a form Mine for evermore Will you still need me, will you s...

Can't remember feeling so sick as I am right now.  Really truly feel like death warmed up.  For an all too short a period yesterday we sat outside in the gorgeous winter sunshine.  Dylan was running around in the yard and I had Tristan propped up in the Bumbo seat with his current "favourite" toy to amuse him.  I hope we get some relief from this sickness soon. Tristan - That little froggy rattle is just your absolute favourite this week.  You were concentrating ever so hard to grasp it and keep it from falling off your little table.  Occasionally you got it into your mouth which must have been ever so satisfying! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Dylan - You were running around the backyard with an old piece of rope which you call your skipping rope.  Of course you can't actually jump rope just yet, so you just run around with it, or pretend it's a giant snake or something.  I took you by surprise when I told...

Last week was a kinda sad one.  We signed the contract for the sale of my Dad's business now that he's passed away.  For a fleeting moment I wondered if I had done the right thing. Should I have tried to run it myself?  A whole new career for me, but just knowing how happy my Dad would have been to keep things going.  The business that he started, met clients and formed relationships.  A heard there were a number of his clients that came to the funeral. I guess he really made an impact on them, he certainly made an impact on me... A day or two before we signed the contract we managed to get copies of all the photos that were on my Dad's mobile phone.  One was a shot I took for him when he came over to visit the day I got out of hospital after having Tristan.  He was holding Tristan and looking down at him, a proud Poppy.  One of the things I noticed about that shot was the amount of hair Tristan had.  Compared to this week's shot,...

Must really start to pull my finger out. I'm so late with these posts that today I couldn't even remember which day the week 31 was supposed to be for!  So can I tell you what happened in the week leading up to Sunday 31 July??? Ummm... no! Luckily I did actually take these photos on the right day, and I can remember taking them, but otherwise my brain is in a fog. Tristan - you just LOVE your brother talking to you, playing with you, just being near you.  You got so excited when he started laying on the floor next to you and making silly faces. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Dylan - A brief moment where you gave your little brother some attention, then rolling around on the lounge room floor making funny noises and being your crazy 3 year old self. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Joining in with Jodi and Project 52. Bel

Late.... Tristan - 4 months old on Sunday the 24th.  Not your best shot, and I look sleep deprived and exhausted after a few rough days.  A portrait of my children once a week, every week in 2016 Dylan - Woke up a bit snotty and cranky.  Right before bed we let you finish watching the episode of Octonauts on the iPad from earlier in the day. At least someone was happy, even though your hands were full of tissues ready for the inevitable. A portrait of my children once a week, every week in 2016 Joining in with Jodi and Project 52. Bel

Late again. Its been a blur these past couple of weeks.  Sleep deprivation seems to have killed off my memory and badly.  I dropped Dylan off at daycare only this morning and his teacher asked me what he had done over the weekend.  I just looked at her blankly and said "I don't remember!". We have Grandma to thank for her contribution to this week's (ok last weeks) pics with the beautiful matching cardigans for the boys.  So lovely and warm and cosy! Tristan looking just a tad stunned!  A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Dylan looking a little more mellow. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2016 Joining in with Jodi and Project 52 . Bel

Its been a pretty awful week for us.  Both Dylan and I have been sick, and I've been desperately trying to avoid passing on our germs to little Tristan.  Daytime naps have been mostly of the 40 mins maximum variety, and night time sleep has been ok, but never long enough to really feel rested. The other day I managed to get Dylan down for a nap, then feed time for Tristan went on and on.  He dozed and fed, and dozed and fed, until there was no more feeding, just dozing on my lap.  It was warm in front of the fire, so I stayed there for quite some time until my phone battery started to die, and the urge to go to the bathroom became a little more urgent.  Eventually I just had to make a move and attempted to slide him off my lap and onto the lounge beside me.  Success! Not only had he slept on me for around 1.5 hours, but he continued to snooze on the lounge for about another 30-40 mins.   A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in ...