Life under a Pepper Tree

Dylan - You've been a bit pushed aside this past week.  Your baby brother was having his 1st birthday and it was all about him.  You took it so well though.  You've been excited about the birthday cake for days, and even helped when we went to the toy shop to purchase Tristan's birthday present.  You let him have the spotlight, but we loved that you seemed so happy for him.  One year olds definitely need their big brother's assistance to unwrap birthday present, and you were just the man for the job!  All of Tristan's new toys have been tested for maximum fun and enjoyment by you, regardless if we think they are age appropriate more to babies than big 4 year olds.  No wonder Tristan looks up to you and loves you so much our darling Dylan. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2017 Tristan - Happy 1st Birthday beautiful boy!  WE MADE IT! WE SURVIVED! There were times that I doubted we could get through, but we did it.  ...

              Bel

Dylan - My goodness you are growing up!  We've started your school readiness program at daycare, and even begun your weekly "homework".  I'm sure the novelty of it all will wear off soon enough, but I'm glad you seem so happy to be learning.  You've currently got this strange obsession with making and then flying paper aeroplanes.  Some days it drives me bonkers!  You never know when a paper aeroplane will come sailing past you.  It's not a good idea to throw them near the kitchen, and it definitely wasn't a good idea to have it land right in the scented candle I was burning. Cleaning red wax off the benchtops wasn't my idea of fun. But it could have been worse if the paper had caught alight!  Let's not do that again okay? A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2017   Tristan - Oh my sweet cheeky bubba!  Nearly 1 year old.  I can't believe a whole year has gone by since you arrived into the world.  You are stil...

Dylan - One of your favourites is still Buzz and Woody.  You came home from daycare this past week so excited that they'd put one of the Toy Story movies on for a while.  You told us all about the movie, over and over and over!  I'm glad you enjoyed it, and it's a nice change from hearing about and requesting the Cars movie! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2017 Tristan - Poor baby boy came down with a bit of a cold this week.  You've been a bit cranky, and not sleeping the best, and the runny snotty nose is just horrible.  At least with the weather cooling down you've been able to be all snuggly and warm at night.  I pulled out of the pile of Dylan's old baby clothes a few warmer items this past week.  I tried on the little Bulldogs jacket. I loved it but it made me a bit sad.  Your Poppy would have absolutely loved to see you in it.  I so wish he was here.  You are just so close to walking now.  ...

Dylan - I went back to work this past week. I hated leaving you and your little brother.  But my goodness I enjoyed the big welcome home I got each night after work.  You'd be waiting on the doorstep until I was out of the car and you'd race over for a big kiss and cuddle.  From then on it was non stop chatter about your day and what you'd been doing.  I missed you so much my big boy. A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2017 Tristan - You still haven't quite gotten the hang of daycare naps just yet baby boy.  I came from work this past week to mostly a grumpy hubby who'd had to deal with a cranky, tired and miserable baby who just hadn't had enough sleep during the day.  Unfortunately the crankiness continued into the night as you just haven't been sleeping well. So many night time cries out for a cuddle, for the dummy, or just to hear our voices soothe you back into a slumber. Breastfeeding hasn't exactly continued very well n...

Dylan - I get my camera out and once again so do you.  There's been quite a few photos this past week with you and your baby brother starting daycare.  You hug him and kiss him and take care of him like such a sweet heart.  You always oblige when I ask for a photo. I'm sure most of the "photos" you take of me aren't quite so favourable! A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2017 Tristan - Daycare began this past week and you did great.  Your sleeping wasn't fantastic, but that's to be expected in your first week.  The girls all loved you and you were sweet and happy and enjoyed yourself.  Maybe almost as much as you enjoy playing in Dylan's room.  Dylan's toys are THE BEST!  Any chance you get I find you crawling off towards his room.  And speaking of crawling, this week you decided that proper crawling was quite ok too. There's still plenty of commando crawling, but it's quickly being outstripped by full hands and k...

Dylan - You still enjoy checking out our little crop of tomatoes.  It seems that every few days just recently we get to pick a few when we are watering our little garden together.  I make sure that everyone in the family knows when we are actually eating some of our home grown crop, and I just love that you seem to taste the difference with the store bought ones.  Lately you've asked to help out when it comes to food prep in the kitchen, and you are especially interested in helping when I make our morning coffee.  Suddenly now that you are helping, foods and flavours that you didn't like before are now good and tasty and you enjoy it.  Just stop growing up so quick beautiful boy!  A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2017 Tristan -  My goodness you have been a shockingly bad sleeper lately. The frequent wake ups are just KILLING ME!  It's somehow worse than a newborn, cos at least as a newborn you slept ALO...