Oct and Nov 2006

Oct '06

Jasper is crawling commando style on his tummy and he gets around pretty fast. He also has been pulling himself up to stand, while holding onto the couch or coffee table, since he was 7.75 mths old. Everyone says he will be an early walker - aggh!

He is very busy and loves playing with his little car (which Grandpa Ray carried with him from California! and it was a gift from the Gracons).

Jasper went to an Occasional Day Care place for the first time for a few hours, while I had a meeting about some work (I'd been laid off from my job at the end of Sept, while I was still on maternity leave). Anyway unfortunately another child bit him on the cheek! Ouch! Aside from that, he had been having a lovely time playing there.

Jasper started Gymbaroo one day per week and loves playing on the the climbing equipment, with the balls and on the swing. And he started swimming classes every Friday at the Fremantle Leisure Centre - so his schedule is very full - and so is mine!

On my car. In the ball pit at Gymbaroo. Playing at home - you can see my bite on my face.


Standing in my cot. With friends Charlie and Beth. Modelling my new bike helmet.

At swimming class with Beth. Our 10th wedding anniversary. With Great Gran.

Backyard Blitz

The shed was occupying prime real estate in the back yard (see pic), so we decided to move it around the side of the house. It opened up the yard and gave us so much more space. See other pics and the shed in its new spot.

Shed in old location. Shed removed. Shed tucked around side of house - much better!

Nov '06

The highlight of this month was the arrival of my neice, Jasmine Louise Jowett on November 8 in Melbourne. Claudia was very small for dates (even smaller than me - many didn't know she was PG) and so after several ultrasounds to monitor the baby's growth, she and her Ob decided to have an elective Caesar at 38 weeks. Jasmine weighed just 5 lb or 2.3 kg. A wee thing indeed. Claude recovered very easily from the surgery and Jasmine quickly put on weight and is a great little baby. Here's some pics.

Jasmine 2 days old. Jasmine 6 days old.

November also meant more yard work. Sean roto-tilled the soil, and we then mixed in new, richer soil in preparation for the planting of lawn. We planted a new lovely, soft lawn - Palmetto - a soft leaf Buffalo grass. Matt cemented in limestone blocks as a garden bed, and in early December my friends Kaz and Shiney helped me plant the Cordylines and African Box hedge plants. We also planted 2 new trees - an Evergreen Ash and a Magnolia tree - in the hope that they will eventually hide the house behind us. The yard now looks great - even though there are a few little things to finish. I'll post some "after" pics soon.

Sean and his heavy equipment.

In our pool - Sean & Jasper. Sean and his family! Jasper's first ride in his bike seat.

Unlike last year, it was an early and hot start to summer this year. So we were already using the pool in November. Jasper likes the water, but even more so if it's warmed up from the solar blanket.

Olivia & Jasper playing. Red Bull Air Show - South Perth

I picked up some work 1 day per week. I have Jasper's name down at the day care centre close to home, but I won't get a place until early next year. So Shelley (Olivia's mum) from Mother's Group (who also works PT) and I did a babysitting swap for a few months. It's fun having Olivia here on Mondays, and Jasper goes to her place on Tuesdays.

We also checked out the Red Bull Air Show in Perth in November, with the Paganucci's (and 1000's of others). It was a hot day and crowded.