January 2011

My hope of being able to write on my blog every week is proving to be somewhat of a challenge! Like all families, we lead a busy life, squeezing everything possible into each day, but I just can't seem to get to the old blog!
We were so looking forward to chilling at home after the busy festive season and we have enjoyed it so much. Time together at home without golf clubs is like gold for us and I have seen how Archie has loved every minute of it.
But now, it should be time to get back in the swing of things, pack the bags and get on the road again. But unfortunately, we have hit a big wall. Poor Marcus been diagnosed with a degenerated/bulged disc (C5-C6). It initially caused some grief back at the Aussie Open in Sydney in early December. Since then, it has really gone down hill and he is in excruciating pain- wearing a neck brace, taking many pain killers and in general, not able to do a lot. He was hoping that with rest and drugs, it would heal, but the last week it has got even worse. It breaks my heart to see him in so much pain and a little worried about his career and the near future. He has been seeing specialists and having treatment (call me the taxi driver!) and they have now decided that he needs to be operated on to replace the disc. The surgeon is very hard to get into, so at this stage, all we can do is wait. He has an appointment on the 1st of Feb, so hopefully soon after, they will operate. There is risk involved and I know this is in the back of his mind, but recovery is surprisingly quite quick, approximately 4 weeks. So although it means he will miss several months of crucial tournaments, he really has no choice for his health and future career but to operate now.
There are plenty of people in harder situations than us- the recent floods have caused so much grief and we also have a friend who, in his early 30's is having intense chemo therapy. Life definitely hands out some cruel cards and ours is not that bad when one puts it into perspective.
But for someone who is always on the go and such a positive person, dedicating himself tirelessly to a sport that he loves, he has found it really hard to deal with. Thank goodness for Archie in our lives- the forever smiling happy go lucky boy that he is :)
So today, as I sat back watching Archie play outside, I tried to capture the endless smiles he brings to us and for a moment, life's pressures were forgotten about.

Words can't describe how much happiness you bring to us Archie John, we can't wait 'til your little sibling arrives in July for you to play with.

Festive Season

All of a sudden, Christmas and New Year have passed in a flash and sadly, we are already busily planning for 2011!
Since we returned from Singapore, we stayed home for 2 weeks, then off we went again, to Sydney and then Coolum for golf. It was a great 2 weeks away with lots of activities. In Coolum, we stayed at the Hyatt on course which is magic! We rode our bikes to the beach and played with the crabs and sand for hours on end. We had afternoon naps and then back we went to the pool. It was a lovely finish to what was a busy year for Marcus and he too enjoyed himself after his rounds with a few beers n pizza.
Marcus then continued on to Thailand for his last of 8 straight tournaments, whilst we came home and prepared for our O'Donoghue/Houlihan Xmas party to be held at our house. We had a great day with everyone together, Santa visited and we ate way too much!

The happiest boy in the world with his new back pack from Lib and Digger from Santa!

The kids had a ball which is the main thing and Nanna and Patty loved seeing everyone together.
Jacquie was a the queen chef, making sushi and salads, what would we do without Jac!
The following week, Marcus returned and we decided to have an xmas party with friends that we haven't been able to see the last few months. It kinda blew out a little and we ended up having nearly 40 for dinner! Jac was to the rescue again with nibbles (too many though, thanks to my ambitious ideas!) and then we cooked a ham on the bbq and had it with salads and burgers which was a big hit! We topped it off with Lemon Meringue cup cakes and slices galore. Alas, the following day was very very quiet as I was a tired pumpkin! With all these parties and social outings, it is very tempting to enjoy a vino or two, but with Baby number 2 on the way, I have been very well restrained!
We are thrilled that another junior is on the way, Archie points to my tummy and says 'Baby', hopefully he thinks it's as exciting as we do! I am 13 weeks now and have had a great first tri-mester with no sickness at all, just a  little tired and extra hungry. All very similar to my first pregnancy, so I am intrigued to see whether it's a pink or blue one! I am due on 11th July- which sounds so far away, but I am sure that with all we have planned in next few months, it will go very quickly!
That might have to do for now, loads more to write but it will have to wait 'til next entry :) Time to attack the study and get back into a few canvas orders that are patiently waiting for me :)

Singapore trip

Time flies and I have yet to write about our great trip to Singapore! Archie and I had a good night flight where he slept most of the way. Marcus met us at the airport, beaming to see us! We made the most of the week with 2 trips to the Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, lots of walks and a spot of shopping too! I thought we would go to town on the shopping front, but strangely enough, a lot of the clothing was winter stuff from Europe! When on earth they wear it in Singapore I don't know, but they were in there buying up on jackets etc. Crazy!
The Zoo has to be the best Zoo we have been to for sure. It is massive and filled with so many different animals, boat rides around the Zoo and even a water park for the kids! Here are a few pics from our days out there:

Archie was soooo tired by the end of it... he fell asleep in the taxi going back to the hotel!
The Botanic Gardens were also a favourite, gorgeous orchids and plenty of space to run around and play!

Marcus unfortunately missed the cut, but we were all happy to hang together for the weekend :)

Zoe Fraser's Arrival

Early Melbourne Cup day, the 2nd of November, little Zoe Elizabeth Fraser arrived. Weighing in at 8 pnd 10oz and 51 cm in length, she is cute as a button! Archie and I went out to visit them and have a cuddle, it was great! Archie is having trouble with her name and instead calling her Zebra! We hope they have settled down at home now and adjusting to life with a bub- ahhh the memories come flooding back!
Below are pictures of Zoe and the photo board I made for her nursery. We took in some anzacs for the hungry parents too, I remember all too well those midnight munchies when I was feeding!

We then continued to have a busy week, with an opening ceremony for a new building at my old school, Beaumaris Primary. Archie thought it was a hoot seeing all the kids and they took him everywhere, very sweet! Archie then had a play with Helena here at home, they get along really well, so cute to see, check them out:

Thursday had us out to see Nanna and Poppy John and Archies other cousins. We had a play at Crocs centre and a good catch up :)
Archie then had a fun day at childcare on Friday, where they celebrated Dawhali Day, dressed up in bright colours and even had a traditional lunch! Here he is below getting in the spirit!

Yesterday saw us heading out to West Melbourne for Ava's 1st Birthday Party! All the kids had a ball and Archie slept very well last night!
So after all that, I have barely had a chance to get any orders done or my Christmas projects! We head off to Singapore tomorrow too, so today will be getting packed and cleaning the house for the guests that are staying here whilst we are away. We are looking forward to Singapore though, looks like some great things to do with a fantastic Zoo and Bird park. Oh well, my projects will have to wait whilst we enjoy some family time with Dad, in between golf of course!

Christmas is approaching!

I do really wonder where this year has gone! It has been a great year and just when things start to feel normal again with Archie back at Gymbaroo, music and sleeping in his own bed, we will soon begin the crazy festive season! It is only 8 weeks away now and with us being away for 3 of those, I thought I had better get started on a few decorations for home :)
* Beautiful Christmas Papers

Papers...... ooohhhhh I LOVE papers! I made a trip down to Paper Squared in Mornington last week and found an awesome range of papers for xmas, babies and home projects. I will be making quite a few things this week with them, but above are the xmas papers I plan to use :) Stay tuned to see what I end up making with them :)

Carly's Birthday Dinner 30th October

Archie and I went out to visit Carly and Jeremy yesterday to celebrate Carly and her twin sister Jo's birthday. It is even more exciting at the moment, since Carly is expecting a little Tadpole, due this week on the 4th November! It was therefore fitting that I made Lemon cup cakes, since we don't know the sex of the baby yet, so Blue or pink ones would have just been wrong!
It is so exciting for all the Fraser family, as Tadpole will be Grandchild number 5 in 4 years! Sandra did ask for Grandkids, now she is getting them by the truckload!
We will be thinking of Carls all this week and looking forward to the exciting news and an excuse for me to go baby shopping and maybe a few projects too :)

A few of the 'Tadpole Lemon Cupcakes'

Painting with Archie :)

We were not sure what to do today, but Archie pointed to his water paints and yelled out 'Painting!' which got me thinking! Then it wasn't long before we had paper on the floor, potatoes cut and paints and brushes ready! Luckily Marcus is away- he would of been very stressed watching us go for it in a house we only moved into 6 weeks ago!

Not too much damage and a lot of fun was had by both of us :)

I love Archie at this age, he is so inquisitive and such a talker; loves trying anything and it's just so refreshing to see him smile. Seeing that smile makes me want to keep thinking of new things for him to try. Now we have home made xmas paper, made with love by Archie and Mum xo