Australian Christmas

Living in Australia we hear a lot of people who have come here from countries in the northern hemisphere carrying on about how it doesn't feel like Christmas when it's summer.

It's the only type of Christmas we know and what's not to love
- fresh seafood lunch
- days on the beach
- seeing a Santa water skiing
- kids playing with their new boogie boards and pool toys

It's been an absolute scorcher of a Christmas but it's so quintessentially Australian and I love it.

Merry Christmas

I'm just taking a few moments out to relax before the day goes completely crazy. We've had breakfast with my family and checked out all the goodies Santa brought Jake and Abbey. Next stop is lunch at The Robinsons then The De Roaches and Gartons at our place for dinner. A couple of days ago it seemed like a momentous task but now that the day is here it's really exciting and relatively calm. I'm all prepared for tonight - vegies are peeled and chopped, pork is ready to go and the table is already set.

I love Christmas it's so fun - I love the routine and tradition of it. Every year Rob goes for a mid morning run on the beach with his Dad - this year Jake is tagging along too which is nice. We don't really get much into presents for each other anymore but I'm looking forward to having kids and going all out for them. What is more exciting than shiny new bikes and toys under the tree.

Being pregnant for Christmas this year is the best present Rob and I could have hoped for.


Merry Christmas everyone and have a wonderful day with family and friends.

I'M PREGNANT

At about 11.45 yesterday we finally received the news that I am pregnant. It was so much more stressful waiting for the news this time than back in January - I was a complete nervous wreck yesterday morning. I wasn't sure if I was going to throw up, pass out or cry or all three at once!! Anyway we now have the fantastic news we were waiting for and can relax and enjoy the pregnancy.

I've got more blood tests tomorrow and probably a dating scan in the next few weeks so still lots going on but I'm sure everything will be perfect.

Thanks to you all for your kindness and loving thoughts they have been our source of strength.

Am I pregnant?

Yesterday morning I woke up and I had some spotting which I immediately thought was my period. I woke Rob up to tell him what I thought was definitely bad news. Rob decided we should get some tests from the pharmacy and try that. So off he went and bought a couple of different brands of which we did 2 tests. I was a nervous wreck and my heart was pounding so hard I thought it would burst through my chest. They were both positive. We thought that meant we were pregnant and everything was fine and of course my stress levels which had been off the chart were abated. I called the fertility clinic this morning just to tell them what had happened and make sure there wasn't anything else I should be doing. They have now told me that one of the injections I have been giving myself is the hormone that pregnancy tests react to - meaning the positive result is by no means a certainty!! Stress levels back through the roof. They have now said I can come in tomorrow to have my official pregnancy test even though it is not scheduled til Thursday. Tonight is probably going to be a very sleepless night. Tomorrow we should know for sure one way or the other and then we'll let you all know.

Best job ever

I have the best job in the whole world.

a) All my kids are adorable, fun and well behaved.
b) My job involves going to the beach, playing at the park and making stuff with playdough
c) When I was little I really wanted to be a housewife when I grew up and now I pretty much get paid to do exactly that.
d) plus what other job does your boss thank you at the end of every day.

Had a lovely day today with Olivia and it really made me remember how lucky I am. Her mum also gave me a Christmas gift with a lovely card - so it was nice to know not only am I having the time of my life but my work is appreciated by the families too.

Living in the land of no service.

Service in Perth is rubbish and it makes me nuts. I've been observing it for years and now it's time to let it out. I've travelled a lot and seen how it works in other places too so I am able to say categorically that service in Perth is amongst the worst in the world.

Do you know one time I was at Rottnest and a bunch of people were standing at what can only be called a canteen (you know like school with the mini roller door you queue up at to order sub standard food!!). Anyway we all stood waiting to order and then the clock must have hit closing time and a pimply faced 15 year old just pulled that roller door down right in our faces. WA Tourism at its best.

Once Rob and I plus 2 or 3 other people walked into a cafe in Cottesloe wanting to sit down and order but a couple of us headed to the toilet first. The manager cut us off and denied us access to the toilet because we weren't paying customers. We told him we were all about to sit and eat but he was convinced we would use the toilet and run without spending any money so he wouldn't let us in.

There's so many other stories but I'm sure you get the idea.