just a note to say that the blog is undergoing some ‘technical’ difficulties, in that the theme I was using somehow contracted a nasty little spam worm.
Much thanks and appreciation to my generous bro Stu for offering to sort out said problems (and find where the problem was)
hopefully a fab little theme will be up and running again very soon…
I have now begun 3 blogs on varying topics and lengths since last I wrote, and none have made it to the publisher. Apparently, life as a full time mum leaves me with far less time to spend quality time reviewing my ‘thoughts’ bank than were I at work, with lunchtime and pre-post office hours doodling.
I can’t say I’m particularly sorry about it either, now that Eliana is such an interactive little sprite, life is far more fun in reality than cyber space. That said, I couldn’t miss the opportunity of posting some photos of our doings in the past few weeks, particularly as we have had visitors - the first in ages, come and stay with us.
 A few weeks ago, Jackie rang me up, asking if they could stop in for a night or two - a very enticing offer, particularly as both of our girls are up and running around and chatting (Cora’s is comprehensible, Eliana’s more gibberish).
The fun times had reminded me of how sweet it is when friends and family gather together, who are generally separated by time/space. I most enjoyed seeing the two Bens/Dads hanging out with each other and their daughters. Both work extremely long hours at their jobs, and have only a hint of a social life outside of family. It was such a wonderful weekend of hanging out with such dear friends.
Other updates include Ben being able to start one of our efforts to reduce the mud intake inside the house…. The garage slab is slowly being prepared for a pour, followed by a driveway once finances sort themselves out (baby bonus). Sadly, Ben’s plans were rained out, and progress has grinded to a halt, as we wait for the rare weekend that Ben has without any private jobs running…
Eliana developments are growing at an exponential rate - new words, signs, and of course independence… She will happily wave on cue, and loves running around with all the pups on the beach. Eliana has also finally discovered the water… two months too early for my liking, but considering she has been on the beach almost every day of her life, I should be thankful. Up until now, Elie has been mostly happy digging holes or smashing down whatever I build for her. That then progressed to chasing Murphy and other dogs around, and now she has fallen in love with the apparently hilarious motion of water as it comes and goes. Hopfully the water will warm up soon, and the hissy fits when Mum comes and drags said delighted child away will be forgotten.
Elie also loves to visit her friends, especially Marcus (MaMa) who has the best playland/home ever, and Drew (no verbal on Drew yet, just a nod and a ‘yup’ if I ask her whether she’s interested in visiting. We particularly enjoyed the last weekend where Ben and Drew’s Dad were working together (fitting out a Jewelery store) as we got to visit for lunch and walk to the park for 3 days. Neighbours across the road and next door are also constant sources of amusement- not one afternoon goes by without her asking (pointing and repeating “nahnahnah”) to head over for a visit.
Depending on whether Ben and I are rostered on music is another favourite activity for Eliana. Last Sunday I sat her on a few stacked chairs next to me (at the piano, on the soprano end - not so obvious when she decides to play a duet with me) which she loved, and once bored trotted over to Dad at the drums (slightly more obvious when she attempts to join in!). It’s actually more difficult to contain her when neither of us are playing!
Ben, Eliana and I have all been in recovery mode, and it is nice to see life falling back into its old patterns. Ben is on TAFE holidays, and so his dear daughter has been lapping up the daily attention. We have all recovered from our various illnesses, and bid Katy farewell once again.
Eliana and I had a wonderful trip to Sydney, so full of family fun and memories. The highlight was definitely our big trip into the Sydney Aquarium with Mum, Rach, Katy, Harry, Georgie, Lucy and Ethan. Having gone from two steps to 50 within a matter of hours prior to our departure of Port Macquarie, Eliana was thrilled to stumble around the Aquarium at every opportunity - squirming wildly when any mother, Ahma or Aunty dared attempt to pick her up or put her in her stroller. The glass windows were at a very Eliana friendly height, though she wore herself out too quickly, and missed the sharks and glass floor…
It was great staying with Dunc, Miri and Abigail, and watching the two cousins entertain each other in the early hours of each day, and sometimes late into the night. The same can be said for Elie’s fascination for her Tempe cousins who had her in constant smiles and squeals/laughter.
Despite our late flight home, Eliana was awake when Ben came and picked us up, and couldn’t stop chatting to him all the way to our BBQ at Ben’s bosses home… it was so sweet, as she had definitely been missing him all week. One night, I had to make an emergency call to Ben, as I mentioned ‘Dadda’ and she burst into uncontrollable tears until hearing his voice… so precious!
Murphy is also very happy to have us home again, despite finding Eliana’s increased mobility/chasing ability. Our beach trips are a lot easier on my back now that Elie is walking, although our pace creeps at toddler speed (ie stop and look/touch/pickup anything even remotely different… including sand). Elie loves throwing balls for all the differing dogs on the beach, and some even humor her max 1ft throw (with a mini ball thrower… it’s less if thrown by hand). Elie still reigns supreme as the most beloved regular on the beach, with almost every local stopping to chat to her or let her throw a ball to their dog… I wonder how she’ll cope with the competition come October!
We took Ben to the park on the weekend… probably our first family activity at a park together - Ben was just as excited as Eliana!
For the past 6 weeks, Eliana and I have been battling some form of illness. We’ve coped, mainly because Ben has miraculously been well throughout.
What we weren’t expecting was our first night home from Tamworth to be so memorable for our combined lack of sleep. One visit to the doctor’s later, we discovered Eliana had a middle ear infection. A previous trip prior to Tamworth had seen Eliana diagnosed with a viral infection, with heavy lung congestion. A Third trip to the doctor two days later we awaited treatment of conjunctive-itis… our fourth trip yesterday, following an even smaller degree of sleep by all parties, we learnt that though the middle ear infection has cleared up, Elie now has ‘bulging ear drums’ caused by the buildup of mucus that she has hitherto been unable to expell. Awesome to the max… and this one week out to our intended flight to Sydney to visit Katy before she heads home… altitude + blocked ears = canceling flight.
we’ve been looking forward to the Queen’s Birthday weekend for many months now, in anticipation of my family’s reunion with the arrival of Katy and Rab from Broughshane, Ireland, and it didn’t disappoint.
Katy and Robert arrived here in Port Macquarie for four very precious days before heading over to Tamworth in preparation for Mum’s big 60th birthday bash/combined 150th for all the 30th’s in 2008.
Eliana has had the most wonderful time with her cousins, Aunties/Uncles and grandparents, reveling in their affection and fun. It brought tears to my eyes to see her nestling into her Uncle Robert, and flapping her arms every time she set eyes on him.
It was an incredibly surreal time in the house with all four Andrews children and their families all together with Dad and Mum - particularly considering the lack of any tension/stress/explosions with 6 grandkids racing around, Ethan, Abigail and Eliana all suffering from differing illnesses. God was and is very gracious to us!
  
  
The big party with many family members and friends was a perfect celebration of Mum’s 60 years of life, full of hymn singing, laughter and chattering conversations (not forgetting the delicious food)
Coming home from Tamworth was difficult - and that wasn’t just because I had to starve myself all day for the drive to avoid bub#2 wreaking havoc kicking my stomach around like a ball, as I’d experienced on the way over. It is a strange experience of heart and head, when the knowledge of what is to come hits your heart. In two short weeks, Katy will fly away once more, and when we meet again can only be guessed. In some ways, I’m actually looking forward to a few months time when our time together is but a memory, and so will soften the sadness of separation. How short this life feels, when calculated the estimated number of times we will see each other again. How thankful I am, that eternity bids us welcome, and one day distance will matter no more.
  
  
  
  
 
  