T.G.I.F… Why? Because that means it’s Footage Friday again!
On Sunday last weekend, you would have seen us post about the fact that we went to a Caravan Expo and also took Jesse for his first swim.
Well, we thought that it would be a good opportunity to take the vlogging camera with us so we could record what we got up to throughout the day.
We finally got around to editing, exporting and uploading it last night. So here it is, ready for your viewing pleasure on Footage Friday.
Last week I wrote about taking part in a new project all about the ways in which we nourish our children.
Nourish: Milk Drunk Love Stories is a project curated by photographer Renee Trubai and she kindly asked if we would share our story of our feeding experiences with Jesse.
You can read our full story here on her blog.
Renee is looking for others to share their stories too so don’t be shy if you feel you have a story to tell.
Spring time in Queensland is glorious. So we definitely wanted to take advantage of this amazing weather with a road trip today.
So we packed the car, bundled Jesse up and hit the road to the big smoke for a Caravan and Camping Show and then for lunch and a swim at South Bank.
As you would have read previously, we are in the early stages of planning a big trip around Australia. So when we found out there was a caravan and camping show sale on just outside the Brisbane CBD, we definitely wanted to head in for a look.
But the best part of the day was when we headed over the Brisbane River to South Bank for lunch and a swim. Jesse’s first swim. And it was the perfect opportunity to try our new camera outdoors (since the weather has been rainy and overcast for the past week). We couldn’t wait.
After absolutely demolishing a couple of burgers for lunch, and feeding Jesse his puréed fruit, it was time to jump into the pool to cool off. Jump in for Jesse’s first swim. A swim we knew Jesse was going to love.
And love it he did. He didn’t flinch one bit when Renee took him into the water. And he didn’t complain once while he was in there. Instead, just after i’d finished taking the photos that you can see below, he fell asleep in the water. He really must have loved the cool water against his hot skin.
It was so cute seeing him enjoying his first swim. Even if it meant that he didn’t enjoy it for very long on account of him falling asleep. But it was great to have such beautiful weather that we could actually get outside and enjoy spring in Brisbane.
After our little swim, we decided to head off and have a wander through the South Bank markets. Our little family. The three of us, out on a Sunday enjoying the outdoors together.
Before we had Jesse I would look at little families and often think, they look like a nice family. I wonder if young couples look at us now and think the same thing?
After having such a great day out, on the way home in the car discussion turned to how we should actually get out and enjoy the great outdoors more often. There are YouTubers we watch that are always getting out and enjoying the outdoors. Whether that be just walking around enjoying the sun, or getting our for a skate, bike ride or mountain climbing.
And I even know a few people at my work who are always out and about on weekends. Sharing photos of their latest adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
We came to the conclusion that it doesn’t really cost any money to go out on adventures like that. And that it is definitely something we need to do a lot more of. Especially now that we have such a nice camera to use.
So where do you go on adventures to? Where is your favourite place outdoors to visit? What suggestions could you give us for our next adventure as a family?
As I finish off this post, all I can think about is how excited I am for our next outdoors adventure as a family. #family #love
This week we decided to start Jesse on solids….well, if you can call purée a solid.
Five months may be a little early if you ask the ‘experts’ but he has been giving us all the signs that he was ready for more than a liquid diet.
So we started off with something basic. Some organic pumpkin and swede boiled and blitzed with a little breast milk for added goodness.
And well, we think he liked it.
We love these photographs captured on our new camera (Olympus EM10 Mark II).
And for good measure, here is a little video too.
Yesterday we celebrated my Nan’s 90th birthday with a surprise birthday party and morning tea at one of the local parks near where she lives. 90 years old. And still going strong by all accounts, even if she is starting to forget some of the finer details.
So after bundling up Jesse, his nappy bag, the new camera and ourselves, it was over the bridge to the other side of town for morning tea and birthday cake.
We don’t see my extended family very often, so there were a lot of unfamiliar faces there. But there were some familiar ones too. And it was great to see the surprise and smile on Nan’s face as she turned up to her family singing her happy birthday.
It was a lovely morning to be outdoors (despite the fact it was a little cloudy). And Jesse seemed to be loving his time outside soaking up the fresh air and nature. It was also the perfect opportunity for us to take our new camera for some more practice shots.
Later that night, Renee and I got to talking about the mornings activities, in particular, we talked about being old. “Would you still love me if I was old and wrinkly like your nan?” she asked.
“Babe, based on the history that women live longer than men, I’ll probably be dead by then!” I joked.
That said, I really do hope that one day I’ll get to celebrate my 90th birthday… And if I do, I hope that I’m still of sound mind to realise what a momentous occasion it is.
Whoops. This post is a day late.
Last weekend, we finally got around to shooting the 4 month milestones video for Jesse. A little late (considering he is nearly 5 months old now), but it is done.
We talk about many things that have happened since his 3 month video, including his second round of vaccinations, his growth and his weight gain, our highlights and an update on his feet.
Today marks our ninth wedding anniversary.
Nine years ago today we said ‘I do’ and I can honestly say we are even more excited about our life together and even more in love now than we were that day.
To mark the occasion I thought I would share this beautiful reading that was part of our wedding ceremony. It still brings tears to my eyes when I read it.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.
These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work tirelessly for you and your new family.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and care free, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that you will hold in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams.
Together as a team, everything you desire can be realised.
Author Unknown
Back then this was a blueprint for our future, all the things we had to look forward to. And today, it is our reality (though Kaine would question the apparent lack of neck massages!).
Happy anniversary, darling.
xx
Our cheeky little monkey has decided lately that early mornings are a great time to smile and giggle and keep Mummy awake.
But with a face this cute how could I possibly get mad.
It started off slow.
Checking Facebook when we had a few minutes to spare. Posting a snap on Instagram to share a special memory with friends. Catching up on the news or checking the weather.
But somehow, without us even noticing, our devices are taking over. Taking over family dinners and coffee dates, playtime with our kids and talk time with our partners.
It’s not that technology is the enemy. I’m currently writing this post on my new iPhone 6 Plus (it’s so big!) and have an iPad set up in the back seat for my 4 month old to (sometimes) keep him from screaming blue murder on car trips.
But I’m constantly aware of finding a balance. Between being present in the moment and capturing it to share on Facebook. Between watching a cute dog video on YouTube and going outside and throwing a stick with our dog. Between reading parenting articles about how to be a better parent and actually being one.
We have had many discussions in our household about just that. About how important it is to us to spend quality time together looking at each other and not a screen. About how ridiculous it is that 4 year olds have their own iPads and that we don’t want to use a screen as a babysitter for our children.
I must preface this with a disclaimer for all those parents out there for whom technology is a godsend. A way to communicate with a child on the spectrum or educate a child with learning disabilities. I’m more so talking about how we could walk into any restaurant in the country and see people looking at their phones instead of each other.
I distinctly recall talking about these things when I was pregnant. One of the things I said was I didn’t want to be breastfeeding and on my phone the whole time. What I failed to realise at the time was that breastfeeding takes up like 14 hours a day in those early weeks. And when staring at your newborn and taking in their every tiny feature only takes up about 7 of them there is still a whole lot of time to kill. The mighty smartphone is a godsend to a new mum. It reminds her that there is a world outside the 4 walls of her house and helps her connect with it even just a little.
I know we’re not the only household dealing with this dilemma. Wives are battling phones for the attention of their husbands. Parents are battling with their kids for a family meal without phones on the table. And babies are smiling and giggling at us while we laugh at a funny video on Facebook.
This powerful image published by the Huffington Post is captioned with “the more you connect, the less you connect.” If we are being honest I think we have probably all been guilty of neglecting a loved one because we are too busy with a smart phone in our face.
So, how do you deal with the technology takeover in your family? A screen free hour each night? No phones at the dinner table? Chores for the WiFi password?
How can we benefit from all the great things about technology without just amusing ourselves to death? How can we ensure we enjoy some downtime thumbing through our Facebook and Instagram feeds without neglecting our loved ones?
How do we strike that perfect balance between living in the moment, and living in the digital world of Facebook updates and YouTube videos?
Because at the moment, it feels like technology is slowly starting to win the battle for our attention and that is something that I think… rather, that is something that I know, we need to change!
Ok… So before you read on, let me give you a little warning about this post.
Right, now that’s out the way, let me just say that I love Rugby League. I love my footy. And most of all, I LOVE the Brisbane Broncos!
Today is the 2015 National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final, and I am excited! Despite the fact it means another season of amazing footy is all but finished. I am excited for three reasons…
This is the first time ever, that two Queensland teams have made the Grand Final. And it’s very exciting.
I have been a massive fan of the Broncos for a long time now. Being that I was born and raised in Brisbane, Queensland, and also that my dad has supported the Broncos since they entered the competition in 1988, it was only logical that I too supported the mighty Broncos. Six premierships later the Broncos are one of the most successful clubs in the NRL and are often referred to as the ‘glamour club’. All that said, all I know is this… I love the mighty maroon and gold and every time they run out onto the field I am cheering for them to come home with a win.
So, imagine my excitement when we entered 2015. 26 regular season rounds and 3 finals rounds later, we are in the GRAND FINAL! What makes this even sweeter is of course, the fact that there are no NSW teams are playing in today’s game. And the only thing that will top this off as one of the best sporting days of the past, almost ten years, is the Broncos winning the Grand Final.
So today, to celebrate the achievements of Queensland Rugby League, we are having a Grand Final party to celebrate the fact that two Queensland teams will face each other on the biggest day in the NRL calendar. And hopefully, the celebrations will run into a celebration of Broncos winning the Grand Final!
I know I said it before, but I’ll say it again… GEEZ I LOVE MY FOOTY!!!
So that all said, it’s time for me to sign off. The beers are cold, the food is ready and the game of the day is about to start…
GO THE BRONCOS!!!
not so secret life of us 