Friends and parties and sleep and....

Well there is so much to tell it's hard to know where to start. We've moved into our new place and are finally settling into the area and getting to know our way around. Benjamin was a nightmare for about a week...but now the change in him is phenomenal! He's got a big brother and sister now...friends! He whines way less. There's more to do and see and people to to play with. He is just so happy.

He's even adopted their cat, Lily, and he follows her around and grabs her - poor thing! This morning he literally threw her off the chair! When I heard that one baby is REALLY hard work then two gets a bit easier and three is even better, I didn't really believe it. But now I see why. There are helpers and entertainers. The baby is never alone and doesn't look to you for everything. Sounds good to me.

We had Benjamin's first birthday party on Easter Monday and it rocked! We had lots set up outside for the young and older kids, including motorbikes, a trampoline, tunnels filled with balls and a little ride on train. We even had some kids having fun in the wheelbarrow! Our friends stayed all afternoon and we all took turns on the bikes - woohooo! My husband's family organised the food and my Mom made the cake - train theme. We were so blessed and have been able to (almost) buy Benjamin a new cot.

We've found a day care for Benjamin which he starts on Wednesday. That, too, is a funny story. It's home-based child-care and the carer is a passionate Christian who believes his spiritual welfare is foremost. Like "O my gosh!" Where do you find that? And she lives just up the road. Thanks God.

And guess what!! Benjamin is now sleeping 11 to 12 solid hours most nights. GASP! FAINT! It just shows that when you are consistent and keep going, no matter how strong-willed your baby is, they will get it. It may take a while, but it's worth it. It's such bliss. Each morning I can't wait to see my little man. I'm so enjoying him. The journey of motherhood definitely gets better and better.

The 'kids' having fun

Independance Day

It happened on Monday. I turned around and Benjamin was gone! I jumped up and with a sigh of relief, saw him toddling happily along the path at the park. He was enjoying his new found freedom completely! I was so glad that he felt safe enough to walk away from me. Sounds a bit strange but he has been so clingy for so many months, needing me in the same room all the time - exhausting!

Now that he's walking I think he's happier than he's ever been. Some of his frustration has been relieved. He can get to where he wants to go! And spend some of his endless energy. I've heard that once they start walking, the real hard work begins. But I've found it to be the opposite. He's happy. He's had his 'Independance Day'!

We are moving out on Saturday. Our Independance Day has come too. We moved into my parents house in September last year wanting a place to bide our time and figure out our next move. Seven months later we are finally set to go. This week I've been trying to enjoy every moment. The house is 3 minutes walk from the beach, has 2 really good cafes (important for me), a video store (important for Tasi) and a great fenced park that has this little red house that keeps Benjamin entertained for ages. What more could you ask for?! Sure we've had our ups and downs as we've adjusted to living under my parents' roof again and the long drive to church and our friends has sometimes frustrated us. But the thing that has been so wonderful for me is having support and being able to share the load.

Benjamin adores his Nana and Grandad. He runs -well toddles fast- to see them whenever they come home and sometimes even prefers his Nanas cuddle to his mum's (how rude!). He wants a piece of everything his Nana does. Even brushing teeth! They are such a big part of his life and I am a little nervous about how he's going to adjust. Suddenly on Saturday night, he's going to find himself in a stange house without his Nana and Grandad and with a whole other set of people (we are house sharing with another young family). I've had so much help with him, whether it's bathing him, picking him up when he cries, playing with him or just staying home so we can go out. We've had it good.

It's time to go though. We're moving into another new chapter in the book of life. And I'm looking forward to it with "adventurous expectation" (Romans 8:15, The Message).