So I mentioned in my last blog that we were heading to Brisbane and we are now here and on the count down. I'm 37 weeks now. My darling friend whom we've shared our pregnancies has actually beaten me to it, even though she was supposed to be 2 weeks after me. I'm so excited for her and I can't wait to see some photos of the beautiful little lady. I'm starting to feel a little impatient now though. Oh well, you know what they say about good things.
Before we made the long trip south, we did the usual water and cattle checking and we were fortunate enough to have our mate Dick come up and do some care taking for us, at the last minute, as the guy we had lined up, pulled out. The conversation went "Hi, what are your plans for the next month? Wanna come up here for us?" And three days later, here he was, just as I was heading out the gate.
Cool dude, helping dad!
I got about 150 photos of this gorgeous little dude that look exactly like the above!
Brisbane:
We made the long journey to Brisbane on the Thursday 21st and Friday I was a bit steady, so dad took Bub to the gun shop (of course) while mum put her feet up. By Saturday we were ready to go again and with bub's constant pointing at water saying "fish", we decided that a trip to the aquarium in Mooloolaba was well worth the effort and we weren't disappointed! Bub had an absolute ball and I think dad enjoyed it a fair bit too. I had already been, but there's something about watching your kid enjoying new things.
Love this crazy pair of kids!!
Those bluey coloured fish above are catfish and I'm afraid that the photo doesn't do their size justice.
But we tried to get bub beside them for a comparison. They would nearly eat him for dinner I reckon.
The following day we pursued bub's next fascination of "kangaroo", so we ventured to the Australia zoo.
Where we fed the goats.
And the Roos.
But before too long, there was a change of shift and Grandma came so dad could return home for a while and keep things running at home.... aaaand to buy us a beautiful new bull which I will post some photos when I finally get to see him.
Below are a few photos from the wedding we went to the other day, that the professional photographer took.
And then I had to take some comparison photos. It seems that I'm much smaller this time compared to the last pregnancy with G-man. I think perhaps I may have had diabetes last time, but I was just under the threshold when I got tested.
Top is G-man and below is now.
I can see the difference in how short my shirt was the first time compared to now.
So I'll end this post with a video from my baby boy which left us in hysterics watching him and I'm not sure how many times I've replayed it but I always get a good giggle. Not sure if I will get another post in before this baby arrives, we will see how we go. Bit more comfortable this time, less anxieous, knowing most of what I'm in for. I have a date sheheduled but I will keep that one under my hat, got to have some suspend for you all.
I can't seem to recall the last wedding I went to when I wasn't pregnant. By the time I'm allowed to drink again, everyone will be married. Never the less, it was a beautiful wedding, my cousin Chloe finally married her long time partner Todd at the Heritage Village in Rockhampton. It was a lovely little gathering of family and friends and it's these rare times of family togetherness that it makes you really appreciate your roots. My mother's side of the family made the long journey up from NSW to celebrate this union and it was lovely to catch up with everyone.
Girls in pearls.
My 'Great' Uncle Ross and Aunt Carol
We don't really get to see these Mexicans often enough, it's such a shame that they live so very far away, but it does make you appreciate the time we do get to spend together. Also nice to know that there are some genetics in my make-up that are worth claiming.
Me and my brother Stew
Uncle Keith and Mum
Ash and Mum
Better show off the belly a little, I've not had many belly shots lately.
These pair of crackers, mum and aunty Loyalty (both in purple with pearls) gotta love em.
Gorgeous sisters, got to love those dresses, I'm sorry that my phone photos don't do either justice.
Look like a bit of an oompa loompa side on!!
Siblings Paul, Kerrie and Dave
I always love watching these 3 together, they have always been such great mates and the below photo really shows that off I think. Such a blessing that none of them have moved away and that they've all kept in touch, something that is also rare in a lot of families these days.
Parents of the bride Christine and David
Love this one too, especially with Trent (Paul's middle child) smiling in the background
Was a beautiful wedding and a you couldn't have asked for better weather. We partied on into the night and I was pretty stoked to say that I was one of the last on the dance floor.... youngin's these days just can't kept up. I'll also mention that Ross and Carol were also the last there beside us which I think is a pretty fair effort!
I'm eagerly awaiting the professional photos, as they managed to snag a photographer that I've been trying to get to take some family photos for me for ages.
The night prior to the wedding, we had a surprise 60th for my step-dad Ash and while I think someone may have let the cat out of the bag a little, I'm sure that he wasn't really expecting the crowd of people who showed up to celebrate this milestone.
Mum made this massive big '6''0' cheesecake-carrott cake, which I can't explain exactly how much effort there was in the makings, but just know that it was a lot!
Again another wonderful night and lovely to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family.
So here's some more pics from my phone to remind me what we've been doing!
We sadly sold our weaner steers due to lack of room to expand. A friend once said it's like selling a part of your soul and he's not far wrong. These are your babies that you've bred and educated and the future for your herd, to be sold off to someone who may or may not appreciate them for the well-handled and reasonably well bred animals that they are. But money is money and grass is grass and the wheels must turn. Here's hoping that some rain is coming our way.
I think one of the best things about our little family and particularly my husband, is that he is always able to make time for us as a family and spend these precious moments with our growing boy. Makes everything else worth while!
We also have a new addition to our bull herd. This is a bull from Couti-Outi (just up the road) and I'm looking forward to seeing his progeny.
Photo makes him look a bit short, he's actually a bit longer than this!
Someone has a taste for apples, ate this core and all!
Someone else turned 31!! OMG where did that go?
My dear girl Jamie, who if you've been following, you will recall is due two weeks after me. Had her baby shower this weekend past and it was lovely to catch up. I'm so excited about having our babies close together and it will be a good excuse for more catch ups! Poor girl, I had to rub her feet because I was certain that her dear husband hadn't been up to the task for the duration of this pregnancy.
My cake baking companion
I told you I would give my banana cake another crack and here it is! Devine! Although, I almost had a repeat of last time! Turns out my attention span doesn't equate to 1 hour, luckily I remembered just in time and only over cooked for 5 mins this time.
I also baked some scones, with mum's secret recipe and I tell you what, they have almost converted me from piklets....... almost!
Splash has had her babies, but she is well hidden under a pile of timber and so we are yet to see exactly how many and what they all look like! I'm sure you will get plenty of puppy spam next blog though.
My beautiful little man looks so grown up with his new hat!
Camera shots:
I asked my photography group if anyone was interested in coming out for a day and a night to take some photos from around the place. I've lived here all my life and I guess I get a bit immune to some of the photographic gems I have on my doorstep, so I was keen to get some fresh perspective. Sadly, I only had one taker, (I think there is a lot of other stuff going on at the moment), but we had such a lovely day out and it was nice to be able to just go and take some photos, especially without G-man offering his expertise.
All day the clouds were putting on such a show and I was getting excited thinking of the spectacular sunset we would get, but sadly, I was wrong! I tried to capture them here, but once again I failed to do them justice.
We even managed to get to watch the tide coming in, but I'm afraid it was not so impressive as on a full or new moon.
We were just discussing the weather and all the signs that may lead to some wet weather being forecast, only to look upwards and see this brilliant ring around the sun. Fingers Crossed!!
Had another crack at these little guys, but they are terribly quick!
I must say that the icing on the cake was these guys that we found as we were on our way home. Normally you're lucky to get one shot of a wedge-tail eagle, but on this occasion, these pair sat very prettily while we snapped away. I had trouble picking a favourite.
You can even see that this guy has been having a feed recently.
My absolute dream shot is to one day get a photo of a wedgie on a dead tree, probably in the desert, with a storm in the background. Maybe one day when I'm a grey nomad..... if I live that long! Or perhaps I will just have to learn how to paint
Funny how sometimes, what I like the look of in the camera, doesn't impress me at home and what I'm not impressed with in the camera, is sometimes a nice shot! I quiet like this one above.
Overall it was a really nice day and it was pretty good that there was only the two of us, because we got to make the most of our day and move on when we were ready.
How have your weeks been treating you? I'm off to Brisbane next week!!! OMG, where did that time go??!! I've not even packed yet!! I better get a wriggle on! Anyone else praying for rain yet?
