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.
I was recently asked by our photographer Renee Trubai to contribute to her Nourish: Milk Drunk Love Stories project.
Renee’s vision for the project is to develop a community of parents supporting and cheering each other on by sharing their experiences on nourishing their children in whatever form that may be.
I was delighted to be asked to be involved and spent several days thinking back over our experiences with learning to feed our baby. I was reminded of just how tough those early days and weeks are. What seems so instinctive on the surface is actually a really complex and confusing issue. It is great that we have so much information and so many options available but this also adds to the complexity.
When I sat down to write our story I was taken back to a time not so long ago when I felt like I was never going to get off the couch. All those hours spent feeding our baby, helping him to grow and flourish. The days just disappeared in the repetitive cycle of feeding and pumping all the while trying to learn to read our baby’s cues and understand what he needed. Nights were even harder when we had to do it all again but this time alone, in the dark while the rest of the world slept. Learning to feed our babies often comes with a lot of frustration and tears but also a lot of beautiful moments too.
If there is one thing I’ve learned during these past five months of being a parent it is that no matter what path we or nature might chose for nourishing our babies we should execute it proudly and without shame. A happy and healthy baby (and a happy Mama!) is far more important than how that nourishment is delivered.
Our story will be shared soon. In the meantime, head over to Milk Drunk Love Stories and check out the beautiful stories from other parents and maybe even share your own. It is an incredibly supportive and uplifting community. We are very proud and honoured to be a part of it.
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
So I figured out three things yesterday…
Yes… These three things really ended my day yesterday in a wave of frustration and anger.
Our little Jesse was starting to outgrow his baby capsule. He has always been quite a long baby despite being a lightweight, and lately, his little legs and feet have been sticking out the end of the capsule to the point where he was able to kick the back of the seat.
Right we thought, time to upgrade the seat to something a little bigger and better.
So we packed the car, bundled up the little one and headed out for the morning to look at baby seats! We even thought that this might be a good opportunity to take the camera along and film another vlog.
Well, we did end up buying a new car seat, and a good one at that! We packed it in the boot eager to get home to install this seat that looks like the worlds comfiest chair! I mean, if they made full size versions of this thing, I’d be first in line for one!
We unpacked it, got it ready for installation and then BAM!!! It was like the capsule all over again. What is it with installing baby seats in cars that something has to inevitably go wrong!
In the end, it turned out that the tether wasn’t long enough to reach to the floor in the boot of our Outlander. “Well this is stupid!” I thought. “Why don’t they make these tethers long enough to fit all vehicles?”
We had to abandon the install in search of an extension belt for the tether. Something that, given the time it was, we wouldn’t be able to get until tomorrow.
Luckily, while I stayed at home with Jesse for the morning, Renee was able to find a tether extender, and in the end, we were able to finish the installation successfully albeit a little later than expected.
It really feels like the people in the baby stuff business are just sitting back and laughing at all of us… scheming about how they can best screw with our heads and tempers next!
I’m just glad this new seat is supposed to last Jesse until he is 4 years old. I’ll be buggered if I’m going to install another new one any time soon!!!
So around this time two years ago, we travelled around Melbourne and more specifically, along the Great Ocean Road.
We had a full week taking in the sights that the beautiful Great Ocean Road had to offer and it did not disappoint!
This is the highlights package we put together from our week down there:
We can’t wait to visit the Great Ocean Road again when we do our big lap of Australia. It’s going to be epic!!!
not so secret life of us 