Zoo visit with Grandpa & Grandma

Our family with the Irwin family.
Our second visit to the Australian zoo was even better than our first visit because we had Todd's parents and Sara with us.

When I go to the zoo, I feel so bad about what happened to Steve Irwin. I feel terrible for his wife and kids. There are reminders of him all around the zoo. He was very dedicated and loved what he did.
Todd in his new Australian outback hat.
The guys in the Crocodile Hunter van.

Dear Sara

Dear Sara,
I love it when you nestle your perfect little head into my neck.
I love your sweet smell.
I love it when you lift your head off my shoulder and stare at me with those big bright eyes.
I love to listen to your sing song sighs.
I love to watch you sleep and eat.
Love,
Mom

Seven.

Benjamin's birthday was extra special this year because Todd's parents arrived that morning from the States. Presents and cake are even better when grandparents are around.

We love you Benjamin!

Luke at three

*Loves to eat "cheesy noonas" (cheesy noodles) and red peppers

**Has a chubby callused right thumb **Loves his green cozy bankie **Huge Buzz Lightyear fan **Loved his third birthday!

Aussie mozzie magnet

Australians tend to shorten words and add an 'ie' on the end. For example, breakfast = breakie, kindergarten = kindie, and my personal favorite... mosquito = mozzie.

This brings me to the purpose for this post. For some reason I am an Aussie mozzie magnet. I went outside the other day to watch the kids in the pool. I was outside for about an hour and I received a dozen bites on my arms and at least that many on my feet. Luckily I was wearing long pants or my legs would've been eaten alive as well. Todd was outside with me and he didn't get a single bite. The problem for me is that these aren't your average mosquito bites that itch and then go away. When I get a bite, it swells like a balloon, oozes yellow junk and turns to a blister. One of my toes has 3 blisters on it right now. It's not pretty!

So... lesson learned. I do not go outside now without applying my bug repellent. I really enjoy living in Oz, but the mozzies and me don't mix.

Easter 2011

Autumn/Easter school break

It's an Australian Easter tradition for kids to make an "Easter bonnet". Our kids school had an Easter bonnet parade on the last day of school before Autumn break to show off their creations. Benjamin and Mary made their hats in class at school and we made Luke's Easter hat at home so that he could be in on the action.
Sara and I have spent a lot of time during the school break watching the kids in the pool whilst playing with my new iphone. (I took this picture with my iphone--pretty good huh?)
We've also spent a lot of time in our jammies during the school break. I love these days.But most of all, during the school break, we've been admiring and loving our new baby. She is scrumptious!
I adore these 5 people!

The Gold Coast

It's hard to believe we brought Sara home from the hospital 1 week ago. I've forgotten how time flies with a newborn. Sara has brought a bit of heaven to our home and we love her so much.

We decided to take Sara and my mom on a drive to the Gold Coast today. We weren't planning to swim but when we saw the beach and the ocean, we couldn't resist. The beaches on this side of the Pacific Ocean are incredible. The sand feels like baby powder and the water is almost as warm as bath water.

It didn't take long for these boys to get completely soaked. They loved every minute of it.

A memorable week

I'm sitting on my hospital bed with baby Sara asleep on my shoulder. Her newborn smell and tiny noises are absolute heaven. We're going home tomorrow. Thanks to daddy and grandma for keeping life going at home while we've been resting at the hospital since Sara's birth.

It has been a memorable week full of familiar and new, joy and pain, and overwhelming gratitude and love.

Last Saturday I was admitted to the hospital in labor. Soon after I was admitted, labor stopped and I was discharged on Sunday (my due date).

Monday evening I checked into the hospital for my scheduled induction. They put some gel on my cervix and Todd and I spent the night in our post-natal room.

Tuesday morning we were transferred to the birthing suite. My waters were broken at 9:00am. I felt uneasy about getting an epidural this time. So I labored without medication and walked around the birthing suite for most of the day: When labor didn't progress enough on its own, they gave me pitocin at 1:30pm. At 2:30pm they turned the pitocion up and at 3:40pm the contractions became intense. Our sweet Sara was born at 4:25pm. It was great to be able to get up and walk around after the birth. I know that women all over the world have babies without pain relief medication every day, but this was a first for me and it was amazing. I feel really blessed that I had the strength to do it. I am also grateful to Todd for supporting my decision not to have an epidural. I know that he felt helpless. It was probably harder for him to watch me go through it than it was for me to experience it.

Wednesday the kids came to the hospital to meet their new baby sister. Pure joy.

Thursday grandma and Luke ate lunch with us at the hospital. Sara passed her hearing tests.

Friday daddy spent some time with us at the hospital. We filled out paperwork for Sara's Australian birth certificate. Sara got a bath. She loves to hold her head up during tummy time: Saturday (tomorrow) we get to take our sweet bundle of joy home with us.