Now we are two

Jack is two and a bit. Here is two stars Jack looking pretty darn cute if I do say so.


We had playgroup at our house today. Jack started to get cranky about 11am - probably because he has started waking up at 6am this last week. I thought we were on the same page. Anything before 7am is considered as night time and is unacceptably early. But no, nature boy feels the advent of spring and adjusts his internal clock accordingly. Go nature boy! Yes go and watch the TV downstairs while Mama finishes her sleep.

So, anyway, back to 11am, Jack was in low-level crankypants mode and I was considering taking him upstairs for his nap. Then he climbed into his car and that was the last I heard of him. There was a reason he was being so quiet:


He looks likes he's fallen asleep in a McDonald's advertisement.

Here is a gratuitous sleep shot:


And lastly this is Jack asking to watch Yankee Doodle on the TV. If there was a contest for the cutest sayer of Yankee Doodle I would be quietly confident about taking that trophy home.

Melbourne in June 2010

Well it's been a while since we last posted. The days go so fast round here. Jack is two in just under two weeks. He is a proper little boy (just like pinocchio). Being part of a mum's group means that all the birthdays hit at the same time and this is paaaarty season. Just last weekend for instance we had two parties. It was wild. Now that Jack is starting to understand the concept of birthday parties (essentially sugary food, balloons, running around screaming and, most importantly, cake) he is pretty darn excited about having his own.

So what is happening in Jack's world? Despite my better efforts he has developed a serious obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine and watches the epic 'Calling all Engines' approximately twice a day. He likes toys with wheels on. He is a good eater but, like his father, has a penchant for sugary foods. He is still firmly attached to his chupete. He talks - a lot - he can even conjugate the odd verb.

A couple of weeks ago we had the good fortune to enjoy a day off in honour of the Queen's birthday. Also known as the only day of the year that you won't hear Aussies complain about Her Majesty being the head of state. We decided to visit Werribee Zoo, an African savannah-style open-range zoo west of Melbourne. After some lovely couple time spent arguing about how to get into the park ("That's it, we're going home"..."Fine!"), we arrived to find the car park full. Alas our brilliant idea for the public holiday was shared by many a family.


However, the park never seemed too full and we had a great time. Included in the entry fee to the park is a 45 minute safari ride. Here you see us enjoying said ride:
It seemed that the animals had conspired to stay on the right side of the bus, whereas we were obviously sitting on the left. This guy missed the conspiracy planning meeting:
All the main animal exhibits also had a themed play area for the kids so rather than Jack being confined to his stroller for the entire day he got to play. This old Jeep was set up next to the lion enclosure. There were a few wheel sharing issues with the other children and a few tears when Jack fell out the side.
We stopped for afternoon tea with scones and the obligatory babycino, or 'cino' as Jack calls it:
Just another day out with the family...
...with the rather predictable end result:

A beautiful Saturday

This Christmas Alexis and I decided to forgo the usual piles of christmassy rubbish, I mean presents, and instead we bought bikes for the family. This was a very satisfactory arrangement. November is a double present-buying extravaganza with Alexis' birthday and our anniversary. By December my creative present-buying juices are severely depleted.

Alexis has started commuting to work and yesterday we went for our first proper family bike ride along the Yarra trail. The Yarra is the river upon which Melbourne was founded.

Jack is loving the baby seat and amazingly enough managed to fall asleep during the bike ride.

Here we have stage one of falling asleep

This is stage two of falling asleep leaning slightly to one side.

And finally stage three. Note that even at stage three Jack is holding fast to his chupete (dummy).