Birthday Party

Emma's party was on Saturday afternoon. It was the most exhausting day of my life!

Playing with cousin Finn

With mummy, wearing a dress that grandma made!

Blowing out the candles! Aunty Belinda said that however many candles were left - that's how many boyfriends you'll have...so we helped to blow it out very quickly :)

Opening presents!! She has an apron on that was given to her, along with some Aussie animal cookie cutters, and she's looking at a Mem Fox book - Mem Fox is a famous Aussie author, every Aussie kid grew up reading her books.

This piece of cake belonged to daddy. But as the fork went up to daddy, Emma's mouth went wide open! She certainly doesn't open it this wide at dinner time . . .

And, here we are at the end of a very big day! An hour past bedtime too!

Happy First Birthday Emma

Our little girl is finally one! Phew. We made it! I just looked at Kim's blog - little Autumn was born the same day - and Kim just praised the Lord for the life of her little one and well, my sentiments are pretty much exactly the same! I know it is only by His grace that we have Emma in our lives and only through His sustaining her life that she is still with us. We are so grateful for our little gift. It has been a life changing year that has been filled with blessing after blessing. All I can really say is, Praise the Lord!

One week old (on her due date - she came a week early)

I tried to do a little photo shoot - but I'll tell you what, one year olds MOVE!

She's started sitting on her legs like this sometimes, so cute!

Her latest crawling style

Exploring

Walking is tough stuff, but she has the hang of it!

Meeting Emily

Emma's first birthday is on Friday, but on Monday my parents came over to give her an early birthday present. Her name is Emily. She's Emma's first baby doll and Emma LOVES her. She's actually in her cot right now talking . . .(hopefully it'll subside and I'll hear snoring soon!)

Reading the card

Yum, I'll try anything once!

Discovering Emily's nose (Emma can point to her own nose now, so it's lovely to have a doll to help learn body parts!)

Thank you Granny and Grandpa!

Swimming Lessons

In Australia there is a huge emphasis on water safety. Being such a hot country we love our beaches and our backyard pools. As a result, swimming lessons for children start from when they're 6 months old! Emma has had 4 lessons now, and she LOVES it. She isn't a great fan of her face going under but she has learned to take a big breath as we do our countdown which is wonderful. This morning was special because Daddy took time off to come and take some pictures. In fact, he took 230 pictures. That's why I've posted a lot :) Thank you Lyle!!

We start with kicking

and blowing bubbles
then we swim out towards a toy with our 'big arms'
yay!

then it's 'monkey monkey' the children learn to hold on to the side of the pool and move along the edge

Then its lots of different forms of jumping in the water. Off the side of the pool, off the step and off this floating mat which they either love or hate.

she's so brave

(the little boy in the background hates it...)

practicing our big arms

more kicking practice

then we end with some big jumps

Big breath as she comes up from under the water!

(she pulls some super funny faces)

then it's over to the side to climb out!

All done!

Cute pics

If Emma was an adult she would hate this picture of herself. I took it first thing in the morning the other day. She's so sweet to let me put the camera in her face just after waking! Emma discovered where I keep the nappies... :) (I believe they're also called diapers!)

Vegemite Sandwich

Fearfully and Wonderfully made

Emma and I both have a freckle on our palm. Mine on my left hand hers on her right (mine's only small, you might not see it too easily). She recently discovered hers and has been trying to take it off her hand like a piece of dirt. It's super cute to watch her try. It did get me thinking though of the fact that we truly are fearfully and wonderfully made. Over the years I couldn't help but wonder what my children would look like. Emma has quickly become her own little person and it's joyful to see who she is and what she looks like.

Australia Day 2010

Oz day 2010. We had a few mates rock up for a barbie on a scorcher of a summers arvie and we had a ripper of a day.

some green and gold 'decor'

The Lucky Country

We ate some bonzer snags, lamb and roo steaks
the blokes and sheilas having a chinwag before chowing down

The blokes yes, my old man IS wearing and Aussie shirt

Oliver, Mitch, Lyle, Kyosti (I think Mitch is the only real Aussie here)

Danny was forced to wear Lyle's springbok shirt onaccounta he came late 'cos he was at work, but it was ok because Danny can be a bit of a bogan sometimes.

We had a few ankle biters around, here's Jacob with his tat on his hand

here's my little ankle biter with her tat :)

and this one's Ella's - it's phonetic as we Aussie's actually call our country "Strayia"

The fourth ankle biter, Jacob having a dip

the blokes were mucking around in the pool

the sheila's showing off their tats

Emma, Me, Kate and Ella showing off our tats

Now....here's a lesson learned. When you weigh...a lot.... it's not a good idea to play aeroplane with your 11 month old ankle biter while sitting on a plastic chair..... (everyone was ok)

TRANSLATION:

mates: friends

rock up: arrive

barbie: Barbeque

scorcher: Very hot

arvie: afternoon

ripper: excellent

The Lucky Country: Australia

bonzer: excellent

snag: Sausage

roo: Kangaroo

chinwag: to have a pleasant conversation with someone

bogan: one who takes little notice of their appearance

ankle biter: small child

tat: tattoo

mucking around: playing around with no real intent or purpose