January 2006

Go to: Archive index | March 2006

Tuesday, 03 January 2006

Yesterday morning, Mummy, Daddy and I took Grandma Gabriele and Grandpa Shiv to the airport so they could fly back to Melbourne. It was fun having them here - we're all glad they came.

Yesterday afternoon, we went to Shorncliffe, a seaside town north of Brisbane. We drove to Moora Park on the beach. Grandma minded a picnic table we found while Daddy, Mummy, Grandad and I walked out onto the long fishing pier there. As we were coming back from the very end, we met up with Peter and Sarah on their scooters, and Aunty Jen. There was a nice wind off the water so it was really pleasant even though the sun was out.

We walked back and chatted for a bit then Peter, Sarah, Daddy, Grandad and I went and played on the sand for a bit then took our shoes off and waded through the shallow water that had formed as the tide when out. Peter and Sarah held my hands so I wouldn't trip and so I would step on any jellyfish that washed up on the shore. I really liked walking along the beach. We walked back to the picnic table via the slippery slides - that was fun too.

By the time we got back, Uncle Nick and Aunty Jen had already been to the local fish and chip shop and come back with dinner. We had crumbed fish, scallops, callamari and chips. I had my lemon drink, which I just love.

After dinner, Peter, Uncle Nick, Daddy and I kicked the ball around on the grass. Then Peter and Sarah showed me how they can climb the trees there. Some branches were low to the ground, so Daddy held my hand and I climbed on the tree a bit too. Then finally Peter took me for a ride on his scooter - now that was really fun!

A great evening!

Friday, 06 January 2006

Did you know:

I love swimming. I'm really good at it now. Several months ago at home, you wouldn't get me past the first step in the pool. Now, if I even see the pool from upstairs, I'll say "go in the pool?". I first like to throw all the pool toys in (balls, rings etc), then I step in, or even jump in. There's a shallow part which ends at a ledge (grownups can sit there). I can now step in the deep part and drift/ paddle over to someone. My floaties hold me up. It's really fun.

I like to watch the cricket on TV. I especially like to watch it with Daddy or Grandma. In addition, when it's nap time, instead of going to my bed to nap, I'll say "no, lie down and watch cricket" - I like to lie on the sofa with my special pillow and watch the cricket.

If someone's going out, I'll say "I come too?". In fact, even when we're out in the car, once we get somewhere, I'll say "I come too?" just incase there's any question about what I'll be doing.

I can go up and down the stairs all by myself, completely unsupervised!

My sleep schedule is all over the place while I've been away. I nap from 3 or 4pm and sometimes for only an hour - too much going on. Also, I don't go to bed until 8:30 or 9. I was up until 11pm on New Year's Eve! I sleep in a big bed. Aunty Jen lent me a rail that attaches to the side of the bed so I don't roll out by mistake, but I can still crawl out if I want to.

In the morning when I wake up (around 6am), instead of getting out of bed myself, I'll just call out "Daddy!" or sometimes "Mummy!" until someone appears. This morning Daddy just pointed for me to get out of bed and come into his and Mummy's bed where I slept some more. They say I'm a bed hog.

I don't eat with a bib anymore. I can eat with a fork and spoon quite easily (although sometimes, I prefer to just eat with my fingers!)

My favourite TV program is Dora the Explorer. I have two DVDs, one I brought with me and one that Mummy bought me here.

I love Vegemite on toast! I'm an Aussie!

Saturday, 07 January 2006

I was overheard to say tonight: "Maybe Grandad go upstairs and get more chips?"

We spent the day today with Peter, Sarah, Uncle Nick and Aunty Jen. We went to a house they are looking at in the suburb of Robertson. Peter, Sarah, Mummy, Daddy and I went back home while the rest of them discussed it some more. We had some lunch, then I had a nap (even though I complained bitterly about it), while everyone else had a swim. Even after I woke up, I didn't want to swim. Mummy thinks I may still not feel 100% even though I've finished my antibiotics.

Wednesday, 11 January 2006

Bye bye Australia

On Monday, Daddy's friend Mark Armstrong came over for a swim and dinner. Mark and Daddy have known each other since high school - 1981 - they both went to Mackay State High School. Mark's girlfriend Sue also came for dinner. We had one of Daddy's (and Grandad's) favourite foods - rissoles in gravy with fried potatoes and vegetables. I like rissoles too. Grandma says she's made them a million times and can do them with her eyes closed. I like Mark - he's fun. On Tuesday, Daddy went over to Mark's unit to catch up some more over a beer.

Well we're on our way home after a wonderful holiday in Australia visiting my grandparents and cousins. It's really been lots of fun. I think the best part of my holiday was playing with my cousins Peter and Sarah. I know I'm going to miss them. I've had a lot of new experiences while I've been in Melbourne and Brisbane.

I'll be seeing Grandma and Grandad very soon as we are all going to France for a week in May. Grandma and Grandad have organised a place in Provence. That should be a lot of fun too I hope.

Thursday, 12 January 2006

Daddy: "Zoe, where are your manners?!"
Zoe, pointing: "On the table."

Grandma Dorothy's in hospital recovering from her knee surgery. Since her first knee surgery was so successful a few years ago (a total knee replacement), she decided to have the other one done too. So the operation was yesterday and she'll be in hospital for about a week.

Sunday, 15 January 2006

I'm not doing very well getting back to the normal sleep schedule, but I'm getting there. Since we arrived home on Wednesday night, I've woken up at 3am wanting to play. Instead of playing, Mummy or Daddy took me to their bed so we could all go back to sleep. They'd then take me back to bed an hour later even though I protested, "No bed! No Zoe's bed! I wanna go downstairs to Mummy's bed".

I'm napping in the afternoon from 2pm or 3pm (instead of the usual 1pm). But I'll get there. Mummy and Daddy have gone back to the pre-Australia rules about my schnoolie - I can't have it outside the house. It's been hard, but I'm coping (mostly).

I had a nice dinner with Katie and Kate at Sushi-Thai. They came to our house first for a glass of champagne and a bit of chitchat. Katie was getting over some food poisoning so she wasn't eating very much. I looked after her though. Of course we went to Starbucks ("SBUX" as Katie writes it) afterwards.

Grandma's doing well in hospital. Her knee replacement operation was a success, but there was a problem with in recovery in that the drip containing the pain killer was not inserted properly, resulting in it going down her arm and onto the sheets rather than into her system. So her first night was very rough. Shame on you Wesley Hospital, especially since no-one even apologised for the mistake.

Wednesday, 18 January 2006

Happy Birthday Katie

I had a fun time this evening. I had a lovely dinner with Katie and her family at The Weathervane, a restaurant in Chapel Hill. You can see our table in this photo: there's me, Katie, Katie's parents Ken and Missy, Katie's Aunt Penny, Daddy, and Kate. I'll post more photos soon (have to finish the Australia ones first).

I was very well behaved all evening - playing with everyone and generally being the centre of attention. Katie and Ken played the Tickle Bug with me, and I scared everyone with my lion imitation. I had lots of fun.

That was in contrast to the trip to the restaurant with Daddy. I sooked most of the way, wanting Mummy, my schnoolie, Dora, blankie, up, and just about everything else. In the end, Daddy stopped at a supermarket just near the restaurant to buy me a schnoolie, but buy the time we purchased it, I was OK again, so Daddy kept it in it's packet. As it turned out, I was quite happy to hold the packet.

Mummy's still in San Diego - I'm glad she's coming home tomorrow night. Also Grandma is continuing to recover from her knee operation. She's scheduled to go home tomorrow.

Thursday, 19 January 2006

Daddy and I were singing in the car on the way home from my school today. I led the singing:

Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full
One for the master,
One for the dame,
One for Daddy,
One for Mummy,
One for Zoe,
One for Grandma,
and one for the little boy who lived down the lane!

I like singing!

Friday, 20 January 2006

I just read on Katie's blog (I bet you didn't know we have the Internet at my school), that she's now got a full-time job at ABC TV. Congratulations Katie.

I'm very glad that Mummy is back from San Diego. The bad news is that I'm sick. I have an ear infection in my right ear again, a temperature, and a very runny nose and a cough. I went home early from school and I went to the doctor to get a prescription for more antibiotics. I hope to get better soon!

Wednesday, 25 January 2006

Saturday, 28 January 2006

Sunday, 29 January 2006

Tuesday, 31 January 2006

Keever from next door sent me an email today with some photos:

Hello to all!

It has been a long time since I have written and there are so many cool things to tell. So much has happened! Over the past few months, Mommy’s stomach continued to get smaller and smaller. I tried to move around and even kicked her a few times to give me more room, but it was to no avail. Daddy and Mommy visited the doctor and he tried to blame it on me, saying I was getting bigger to the tune of 7 pounds.

Well, regardless of who was at fault, I decided I needed different scenery and made the decision to get out. Boy, was that an adventure. It took me an hour and 15 minutes to get out of Mommy and when I was out, I really wasn't sure if I wanted to be there. I couldn't think of doing anything, so I just cried and screamed out loud.

I immediately found myself on Mommy’s chest which was very comforting. But as soon as I settled, Daddy was waving scissors like a wild man and cut the piece of string connecting me to Mommy. It wasn't so bad because I couldn't feel it. Everything was so blurry but I could have sworn that there were a bunch of people other than Mommy and Daddy in the room, as they kept passing me around.

I heard a man say something about me being an 8-pounder, but a lady put me on something bouncy and cold and said I weighed 9 lbs and 8 ounces. Maybe I really was the reason Mommy’s stomach seemed so small. Another lady grabbed me and, holding a string from my head to my feet, said something about me being 22 inches long on the dot.

I immediately felt comfortable in Mommy’s and Daddy’s arms since I have heard their voices so much. I also recognized other voices, such as my Grandparents and my Aunts and Uncles. They were happy to see me so I didn't cry when they held me, as long as they rocked back and forth. They kept talking about how much dark hair I have, the fact that I have dimples, and the fact I have big hands or feet. I will take their word for it since things are still for the most part blurry.

Sunday Mommy and Daddy took me to a building they call home and showed me a place called a nursery they said I could sleep in. The place is huge! Finally, I have big place to sleep in once again! My dreams have come true. I wonder if I will get so big that I can't fit in there.

Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know that I am in this new world and I am starting to get used to it. If you get a chance, come to my new home to visit sometime. Until then, it has been fun writing you my baby diary.

Love to you all,

Keever Jones Abee, formerly known as “Baby Bee”

Mummy, Daddy and I went over to Keever's house on the weekend to say hello and give Keever some welcome-home presents. He's tiny! I was told I was that tiny once, even tinier! Mummy held him for a while and I was OK with that.

Go to: Archive index | February 2006