Pigmania

It's been a bit since my last post as we've had some excitement in Erin's world - some visitors from America - Cousin Elizabeth and boyfriend Terry. I can no longer say that Erin is a baby with no tricks. We have the now famous pig face. Terry has been very generous in helping her expand her talent into the "spitting pig" Basically the pig face (as shown) and raspberries combined. I've noticed that she is very proud of her new trick when I heard her in her crib the past two mornings honing her new talent. Every time Terry walks into the room Erin flashes a quick smile - (which I think is just a running start into the Spitting Pig) and then launches into the spitting pig. Both Elizabeth and Terry have been banned from looking at her when she's eating. I was covered in peas during one of her spitting pig shows – I’m so proud

Groundhog Day

Have you seen the movie "Groundhog Day" ? We are two weeks into constant rain and stormy weather, every day has started and ended exactly the same. This morning showed a glimmer of sun so Erin and I headed out for a much needed dose of vitamin D.............. only to be rained on. The forecast for tomorrow is for late showers with the sun out on Saturday but chilly. We'll venture out on Saturday if the weather looks to hold..............

Saturday was a great day. Erin, Paul and I headed to Bondi Beach where the waves were still showing signs of a storm so the surfers were out showing their stuff. We stopped off at the Wine Bar for a nice Cab (hey - it's on the way home) and sat outside to soak up the rays. However, by the time we headed home the weather turned again and Erin needed to be "rugged" up. I don't leave home without the necessities for her. I never could have imagined such a small person would need so many things just for an afternoon out. If this keeps up I’ll need a Sherpa. .

More rain due next week...............:(

First Impressions

Another rainy day in Sydney- this makes two weeks of soggy days. With this came some inventive things to "try out" with Erin. After all we have to get to them some day so why not start now. (the pictures look a bit grainy as I used my cell phone to seize the moments) Some of Erin's firsts this week:

First ride in a shopping trolley (cart) - this didn't last long as she kept sliding to left side and wound up lying rather than sitting. She seemed fine to me-we'll try again next week.

New foods - Basa (fish), eggs, peaches, parsnip, celery and dried (mango, peach and apricot).

First "winter" hat. This Sunday we went to Paddington markets - there was a stall selling hand knitted hats so we got her one for the day- it's her Bailey hat. Paul wanted the Wallaby hat but she didn't look good in green and gold (wink wink).

Erin has started to grab at things, if you have it she wants it. She'll take hold like it will be the last time she'll see it and needs to take with her everywhere. You wouldn't dare take it away from her (unless you have something of value to trade). The first time this happened was with the "change table" cream. The tube is half her size. I had to pull the car over to get a picture of her- too funny. This went with us to the dry cleaners, post office, book store and grocery store. Every head turned as we went passed and Erin flashed her trophy for the day, the looks that I received......it was like she was caring a tube of K.... well, you know.

Hopefully next week we'll be able to go outside - whoever said that Sydney has great weather ;)

Happy Birthday, Uncle Patrick

Today is my brother Patrick's birthday- 43 yrs. My sister gave Erin this very sentimental quilt for her Christening. It's made from 10yrs worth of T-shirts from the 5k race - Run For Hope that was put on in his memory. I think Erin loves the colour green or maybe it's the Yin-Yang- either way she's getting a first introduction to her Uncle (although I think she's already met him).

Erin - May the love and protection Saint Patrick can give be yours in abundance as long as you live.

Happy Birthday Patrick - this Guinness is for you ! 'Sláinte!

Creche - "Cheap as Chips"

When something doesn't cost much it's considered "Cheap as Chips". Today Erin had her very first day in a Crèche (Daycare). The gym we belong to has a casual Crèche where you can leave your child while you go for a workout, class, swim etc. One hour of care costs a mere $5 ! WOW !!! I was so surprised how little this was. The cost of things lately has been absolutely crazy. The following are current prices this past week in Bondi:

Small coffee and muffin - $7.50
16oz diet coke - $3.10
8oz diet coke - $2.30
One litre of Gas = $1.33 (~$5.00 / gallon)

Many menus now have "weekend prices" and "weekend surchages". Recently a local restaurant (Nick's - Bondi Beach) charged a friend a "Cakeage" rate of $5 / person. She had 15 people which would have cost more than the cake itself. "Cakeage" - Is that even a word ???

Lastly, as I went in to pay my $79.00 for filling up the car I grabbed a bag of chips. The bag of chips was $5.20, it was promptly placed back on the rack!! I think the expression "Cheap as Chips" is no longer relevant.

There is something terrible wrong when a bag of potato chips cost more than an hour of child minding.

Sand Castles For a Queen on her Birthday

Today was a holiday - the Queen's birthday. The past week has been very stormy so we were eager to get out of the house. The storm caused lots of flooding, electrical outages, downed trees, road closures etc. But today the weather broke so we headed down to one of our favorite places for breakfast and a walk, Bondi Beach. We weren't the only ones who had this idea.
It was like the day after Christmas where every kid and parent is out trying their new toys. There was one small problem- sand, and lots of it.
The waves from the storm dumped lots of sand on the roads and footpaths. Kids with skateboards, razors, rollerblades and learners on their bikes etc. were out in masses. However, it was like only we could see the sand. There were small patches of pavement where the kids would get moving for short distances before the sand fast approached and instantly stopped them in their tracks. I would imagine there were some very unhappy kids later in the day as the sand slowly made its way into the workings of the wheels. Tons of prams that could easily carry a sleeping child as Mom shopped in the boutique stores suddenly left their occupants and owners stranded and stunned. Erin was fortunate to have a pram from the land of extreme sports, New Zealand so it's built for 4 wheeling (3 wheeling). Picture the land of misfit toys and that was Bondi Beach today. The carnage left around us was hilarious.

It's never a dull moment at Bondi Beach. With a great breakfast in our bellies we enjoyed a nice walk and good laugh for the day.

Rockin' And Rollin'

Erin has begun Rockin’ and Rollin'. This has been going on for about two weeks now with no sign of wanting to crawl. It's very funny to watch her get up on her knees and rock for about 20 secs. It must seem like 20 mins to her as she then collapses onto her stomach and lets out this sigh like she just crossed the finish line of her first Iron(wo)man. She will then drag her lifeless legs across the floor, pass by her mountain of toys, climb over me to pick up the littlest piece of paper. This can go on all day, done to her biggest delight and sense of accomplishment.
We purchased a small area rug for her to play on, she's on it in the picture. Paul thought the rug was a better idea than mine. ??? You decide for yourself -> Erin seemed perfectly happy for me to attach the dust rag to her shirt and have her clean the floor as she dragged herself around - I was moving her to a different room each day - was that wrong ?

Sunday, June 3rd, Christening Day

I finally organised Erin's Christening. This is a good thing as I didn't want her walking down the aisle- I think that would have given Paul a heart attack- too early for that milestone ! The church, St. Patrick's in Bondi, was beautiful and Father Tom was fantastic. Erin looked like a little angel and was so good during the ceremony. I'm not sure how many people noticed that I was feeding her Scooby snacks the entire time (trusty Cheerios). The dress she wore was made by Paul's mother. It was so adorable and she loved playing with all the frill. My sister, Karen is Erin's Godmother and Paul's long time friend, Leo is the Godfather. Bec, (one of the tennis gals) stood in for my sister and did a fab job. We had everyone back at the house for a "quiet" celebration. I think we ran out of Champagne and white wine after two hours ! Gotta love an Australian lunch.

I love this picture of Erin with Uncle Tony and Paul is giving the toast.

Day One

Well, not day one growing up Australian but day one of my blog. I don't think I would have enough space to discuss what day one was like after the birth of our little girl, Erin Maureen Gately (October 5th 2006). Erin is half American and very much Australian. We are living in Sydney and to my pleasant surprise we are not surrounded by dingos (Suz, maybe a dingo ate your caahhr keys), coming from New York I didn't know what to expect. (No! I didn't actually think there would be dingos). Sydney is an absolutely beautiful city but it's not New York - heck nothing is. Sydney is however, a fantastic place to raise a child or to "grow up" in. I've started this blog for friends and relatives back in America so that they can experience Erin as she grows and to have an appreciation for her Australian heritage. I will also add some "bits and pieces" of what I'm experiencing living in Australia. Never would have used "bits and pieces" before..... the slide has begun.