Halloween

Our carved pumpkin. Erin still wasn't into it too much but she did like the finished product. Pumpkin cost $9 this year !

It was 97 degrees so we had to roll the sleeves up.

Little miss princess. The crown didn't last long.

Halloween is no where near as popular as it is in America but you can find pockets where people really get into it. Erin went trick-or-treating for the first time. There is a street in Clovelly(about 10min drive) where trick-or-treaters go and the houses that are giving out candy (lollies) are decorated so you know which ones to go too.

This is the first house that we went to, Erin thought she was being offered the entire bowl of candy - I was lucky enough to capture the moment. By the third house I was waiting on the sidewalk while she ran to the front door. When I asked her to say Thank you her reply was "I already did" and off she ran- too much...........Then enjoying the loot.

Finally, only in Australia. A couple set up shop at the end of their drive way and popped open a $90 bottle of Champagne to hand out candy. Now that is my kind of Trick-or-Treating.

Cailin Smiles

I can remember Erin's first smile, it was at 4 weeks and 4 days. Cailin is only 8 weeks old and I "think" she started to smile around 4 weeks old- how terrible am I ??

Erin turns Two - Mom and Dad turn Grey

Erin celebrated her second birthday on the 5th of October.

It was a quiet day but she was showered in gifts and all her favorite things. She received balloons, a chocolate Boost smoothie, cupcakes and a gingerbread man cookie all before lunch time ! I made her a Shrek cake - a strange thing for a two year old to like but whatever works. She loves her new play cottage and it has become the place where we have to do everything.

This past weekend our Mother's Group held a combined 2yr old birthday party at a local park and Erin had a ball. Not sure the dress that Aunt Karen gave her faired too well but Erin loved wearing it. Here are some pics of the day.

Seven years on

My life has changed so much in these past seven years but we still remember like it was yesterday.

Bringing Baby Home

We brought Cailin home when Erin was in "school" but prepared her for her new sister and also had some presents waiting for her........life as she knew it was changed for forever. Aunt Karen sent Erin a "baby" of her own and she loves it.

Erin has enjoyed playing with the doll but nothing beats the "real" thing.

Cailin finally had enough of the poking and prodding - even when Cailin is crying Erin won't give her up. This has become a point of contention between the both of us.

Who's Who ???

Will the real Erin and Cailin please stand up ?

Here's pictures of Erin and Cailin at the same age (within a day apart at most) can you tell who is who ? No peaking at the post below to see a picture of Cailin.

Welcome Cailin Mary

We have a new addition to our family - a daughter, Cailin Mary born on August 28th at 10:53pm weighing in at 8lbs 2oz and 21 inches long.

Erin has really taken to Cailin and loves to touch her and "carry" her- still early days. I'm sure it will not be long before she asks us to send her back.

Below is a Video of Erin meeting Cailin for the first time.

Here are some pics of Cailin.

In the car seat on the way home from the hospital (little Buddha)

Daddy, Happy Birthday !!!!!

Play Ball !

Erin loves dogs and maybe it's hereditary or just something every young child loves-don't know but for now she's loving man's best friend.

This weekend we went to a local rugby game and there are many dogs there to keep Erin entertained. This also gives Paul an opportunity to take in some rugby, especially when I'm only two weeks away to giving birth ! WHOA.

Today the weather was very warm but yesterday Erin had to get "rugged" up before heading to the game.

Here's a video of her playing with one of her favourite dogs at the game.

Food and Play

Food and Play, pretty much sums up the life of a 21 month old. Oh and sleep but Erin is not much of a sleeper, although she very much needs it - I need her to sleep too ! She likes her food - on her time and not he "good" stuff. Good stuff meaning veggies. Also, there is no feeding her anymore- everything needs to be done by miss manners herself. Here are some recent foodie pics.

On Sunday afternoon we went to Coogee beach playground - one of the best around. Erin is all smiles when she is first put on the spinning top- that is until Paul spun her way too fast. She held on tight and looked scared to death. All is better with the climbing ropes.

Ahh, comfort in the "Sving" It's her favourite among all playground apparatus.

Erin feels the best rush is to go head first on the slide (slippery dip). This went on for about 15mins until she started to create enough friction for static electricity to form. When I would pick her up at the bottom we gave each other a shock. She would cry and say "Shock, shock" but climbed back up at the top of the slide and did it again- finally after about 4 shocks she had enough and wanted to go home. Have to make sure we both don't wear a fleece next time.

Thirty One Weeks

Had quite a few requests to post some pics of me pregnant. This is really not something that I want to do but the requests do not stop so here is ONE shot of me taken today. I'm 31 weeks pregnant and heading off to lunch- always hungry. Things are going well, feeling good just tired and the baby is moving and kicking often - always reassuring. He/She is very active at night and sometimes keeps me up until 1am or 3am. I've heard from a number of people that this will be the time that the baby will be awake when born. I'm hoping it's just an old wives tale.

Went to a wedding this weekend and the consensus is that we are having a boy- not sure that we can beat the Gately odds but it's fun to hear all the reasons why we're having a boy, "you are carrying low", I crave carbohydrates", "My bump looks like a basket ball" ???. Anyway- not long to go now. So without further ado.....

Aloha ! Hawaii Part I

We just got back from Kauai for 10 days and it was fantastic. Wasn't really looking forward to putting a bathing suit on but after about 30mins it became my staple the entire trip. Something about being obviously pregnant that allows you to not be bothered with how you look. In fact you embrace it and enjoy all the smiles and endure the "When are you due?" question every hour or so.

The flight wasn't too bad, 9 1/2 hrs to Honolulu and we had 4 seats to ourselves so Erin was able to lay down and get some sleep. Sydney is 20 hrs ahead of Hawaii so the jet leg is minimal with only 4 hrs difference in time, just a different day. We had a 30min flight from Honolulu to Kauai which went extremely fast coming off the Sydney leg. We stayed at the Grand Hyatt which was just fabulous and we were catered for our every need. The weather was about 85F every day.

Erin was in the water 95% of her waking hours. Paul was a very proud father. We bought her a swim vest before we went and it was the best thing we could have purchased. She didn't want you to hold her so the vest allowed her to swim and float on her own. I was very nervous at first with the way she was very cavalier with the water but Paul - told me to leave her alone. He's the expert so I just had to trust his judgement and away she went. By the second day she was jumping in the pool without assistance and giving every other parent on the pool deck a heart attack. Once they heard Paul's accent, just the mere fact that he was Australian seemed to make it OK - How does that work ?????

Long Day at the pool.

Erin discovered Fig Newtons, she ate two boxes in 10 days.

Erin says Happy Birthday Uncle Patrick !!