Cazza's Travels & New Chapter

Wedding Pics

2010-11-18T12:32:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Will do written updates soon I promise!!

I will do more soon :-))

Love to All

Cara xo

Car's gone, Stuff's gone . . nearly time for us to be gone

2010-10-19T10:40:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

As the title says, the car is gone

and the boxes are gone! (plus a wardrobe and Pram).

I am now starting to get excited, happy, sad, nervous . . .a whole range of emotions!

Excited: because this is a new start, a new adventure, something I have been wanting to do for a long time and is long over due though I could not have imagined having Jasper anywhere else but Perth surrounded by my amazing supportive friends and family.

Happy: with myself, happy with life and ready to get out there and get started on the next chapter of life.

Sad: saying goodbye to family and friends and places which are so familiar to me. I know I often say it but I am truely blessed to have amazing family and friends with out whom I would not be the person I am today. They are there for myself and now Jasper, through the good and the bad times. I have people I know that I could pick up the phone and they would come over in an instant, I have others I can ring if I just need to off load and go through things in my head, I have people who are always up for an outings, others who allow me to drag them to what ever I feel like doing.
Basically I am leaving behind people who just get me, and accept me worts and all. People who have played a part in Jaspers life from the very begining and I am truely going to miss them so much! (okay getting tears as I type this)
I know though that in the modern age we live I am only a phone call, picture msg, facebook, skype, msn, blog, video call away . . .and 5 hour plane ride :-P~~
(I have people booked in for visits already and I can't wait for all of you to come over and let me show you my new state and home)

Nervous: as with any new begining or step into the unknown I have that nervousness of will it be a good move for myself and my son. Will we find new friends, find a job ( I have an interview when I am over setting up the house), how long will it take to find my way around, will the new daycare by anywhere near as good as the one here, how long will it take to start feeling like our "new home", will I be okay with Jasper on my own with no one else around . . .

So as you can see I have a whole range of emotions and things going around inside my head and heart, however I can say with out a doubt that I know this is the right thing and the best thing for us at this stage in life. Its time to head out and explore some more of what's out there.

Love to All
Cara xo

Car goes today!

2010-10-11T10:31:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

D day is fast approaching!!
I drop my car off today to be trucked across country to Brisbane, which should mean its there for me when T and I get over there on the 26th.

I am starting to get a little stressed with packing and what is coming and whats staying etc . .

Its all becoming so real as I start saying goodbye to friends and getting well wishes through! I do truely know it will be great for us, it doesn't make it less sad saying goodbye to family & friends.
I know too that we will be back for visits lots I am sure, and I have friends planning to come over and see us :-))

My Mum is now coming up to Perth to watch Jasper for most of the time I am away setting up the house with T, this way he can stay in daycare for the week and Mum gets some time to visit friends and relax. It also means I don't have to take Jasper for his last day of daycare something I am dreading doing as I know it will be an emotional goodbye . . I know I will get sad saying goodbye to them on the last day I pick him up too.

We have had a busy few weeks with social catch ups both with Family and Friends :-))
The Saturday just past was Fairday which marks the start of the Pride Festival in Perth, we had a great day out in the sun catching up with friends and saying some goodbyes. It actually went better then I expected :-))

It is also making me very reflective, this is to be expected I guess when one is going through belongings and saying goodbye to a chapter of our lives. Any readers who can relate?

Jasper continues to thrive . . .though being slightly sooky!! He has had a few of the bigger teeth coming through so as you can imagine lots of pain and crying.
He is starting to transition up to the bigger room at daycare, he is so small compared to the others in there . .I hope the donor height gene's kicks in soon!!

Work is very slow as they have hired a replacement for me already and I have been instructed to get people to contact her, this means I get time to blog :-P~~

Love to All
Cara xo

Deal or No Deal Video

2010-09-29T07:56:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Clearly I watch too much Deal or No Deal . . .but its very cute to watch him do it, I didn't manage to catch him doing the actions for deal, next time.

Thanks for watching and I will do a post with real words and updates soon!!

Love to All
Cara xo

Cute Jasper Video (playing with the Doggy)

2010-09-28T08:15:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

We went to visit Auntie Rob this weekend (Auntie Caz was away) who has two doggies, Jasper really likes dogs and is pretty comfortable with them.
They played like this for close to half an hour I think!

Love to All
Cara xo

Thoughts and Updates

2010-09-14T12:01:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

I am typing this in a sleep deprived state with a puffy face, so if there are spelling errors and gramatical errors . . .don't bother telling me!! :-P~~

Sleep deprived because Jasper woke every two hours or so last night to cry for a bit then fall back asleep . . .at times I do wish our bedrooms were at oposite ends of the house!
Puffy face is from some treatment I am having done on my face for Rosacea . . think hot elastic band flicking on your skin constantly and that describes the treatment OWWEEE!

On a much happier note, the lease is all signed, the bond paid and the bond form lodged for my new house. The car is booked on a truck to leave a few weeks before I go over the first time, so that T and I can use it for furniture shopping etc.
The boxes are booked on a different truck to leave a week after the car so that they will hopefully arrive so that we can unpack them and get it all done before I go back for good with Jasper.

Life has been busy but not too hectic, which is nice. The weekend just past was Jaspers scheduled Auntie T sleep over, which meant I got to lay in bed and read on my new kindle Sunday morning before going out for lunch with my oldest friend JL.
Now JL isn't my oldest friend as in her age, we have infact been friends since we were 8 years old!! It occured to me as I drove to meet her for lunch that we have been friends for about 21 years, isn't that CRAZY.
I also had a lovely meal out with my sister in law and we went and saw the new Drew Barrymore movie Going the distance on Friday night. Lunch on Sat Jasper and I met another friend for lunch in Freo before allowing Jasper to run around what I think must be his fav playground The Esplanade in Freo.
Dinner Sat night I had cooked for me by another friend before we watched a dvd . .
I am so blessed with amazing friends and family (I know I constantly say this however it is just so true!!)

I did also have time to do some house organising and premoving culling, including packing up all of my books to give away to various friends and family, as I have decided apart from my small collection of Amish Fiction books and my Harry Potter books the rest can go! Otherwise I either have to pay to store them or pay to send them over . . .and as I don't know where I will be heading after my year is up at the house in Albany Creek I don't want to have excess stuff.

Cool Swing! New Converse shoes: Auntie T Showing some leg!

I have my Mum coming to stay with us for 3 nights over the weekend which I am looking forward too, its nice to see her get some time to relax and spend time with her children and her grandchildren :-))

Fathers Day I had Dad stay with us and got everyone together for a Fathers Day BBQ breakfast which was really nice too and for some reason I didn't get any pictures? Probably because people tend to groan when you get a camera out . . .

Before I go I must thank AG who gave me Jaspers completed 1st Birthday party dvd, it was nice to watch and is something that I will treasure THANK YOU!!

Love to All
Cara xo

Papers Papers everywhere

2010-09-01T12:58:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

As the title suggests I have been buried in paperwork and am slowly getting out from under it!!

At one stage I was dealing with stuff for the new house, new daycare, sorting out my phone, dealing with the Bank and had Jasper at home with Foot and Mouth!!

Things however are looking up and looking less stressful this week :-))

Jasper is fully recovered from his Foot and Mouth virus, luckily he only had it very mildly and it didn't really effect him much except that he was contagious so couldn't go to daycare . . .I had to get someone in to watch him at home plus Mum & Dad watched him for one day as I couldn't afford to take time off work.
He is such a happy social little boy and is happiest when we are out and about where he can smile and grin at people.
Walking is proving hazardous he constantly seems to have a bruise or scratch on his face and at the moment has about 3 bruises!!

Things are moving forward with our move, should get the contract for the new house through soon. I have booked all our flights etc including Auntie T's and mine for the end of October when we go over to set up the house while Mum kindly watches Jasper for the week for me :-))

I am getting frustrated however trying to work out the timing of things arriving, like I need to send the car over by truck and then the furniture. They have to go with different companies and it appears that no company can actually tell you exact time frames which makes it hard for me to organise things . . .

We have been doing fun stuff too lots of meals out and fun in the sun last weekend when we experienced spring conditions slightly before the official start of spring.
I am constantly thankful for the amazing family and friends that I have in my life, including new friends that I am making. Hopefully lots of them will come to visit in our year away, at last count I have at least 3 friends who have said they are coming over for sure to visit, including one I NEVER thought would say Yes!!

Just showing some of those facial injuries!

Love to All

Cara xo

PS. I am off to run more errands including visiting a bank and picking up a new cell/mobile!

Picture update (post QLD holiday)

2010-08-18T09:32:00.001+08:00

Hi All,

What a busy few weeks it has been, we had a nice if not slightly hectic trip to QLD. Then arrived home for a weekend of bday celebrating!

Jasper sleeping on the way home in his own seat.

Runnning around and away from me!

Playing peek-a-boo with the menu at Pancake house

Lunch out with Auntie Amanda our first day away

They had a cool indoor play area in a shopping centre.

Playing in Byron Bay

There were others to play with

Being cute with the girls already!!

Love to All

Cara xo

Walking Video as promised

2010-08-02T09:13:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Jasper is deff getting the hang of this walking thing, and can now get himself up and to his feet rather then having to pull himself up on things!

I feel so proud watching him walk, I am deff one of the Mothers that feels happy for him that he is gaining some independance rather then sad because he is growing up!

Hope you enjoyed the movie

Love to All
Cara xo

7 sleeps! One week! 4 working days

2010-07-29T09:44:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Until I/we are on a weeks holiday YAY!!

I am really looking forward to having some time away and checking out what will be our new State and potential new house/suburb.

The weather looks as though its going to be similar to here just a little warmer in the evenings.

Accommodation is all booked, rental car with child car seat is booked, catch up with the one person I know in QLD is booked in . . . .NOW to do some research for some other fun holiday stuff!

The QLD version of the Royal Show is on while we are there so I might check that out, I won’t be able to do rides etc as I will have Jasper but I can still check out exhibitions etc. .

I am currently in contact with someone I used to work with who is helping me do some research and learning so that I can hopefully move into a different area of work, so fingers crossed I am a quick study. This is for when I am job searching after the move.

Jasper has been pretty grumpy and emo . . .I think its because he has another tooth/teeth coming through, its very frustrating cause I am beginning to feel as though all he does is cry for seemingly no reason!!

He does still have very cute and happy moments I think it’s just more challenging for me at the moment because I seem to permanently feel exhausted!! I went and had my iron and B12 levels checked yesterday and should get the results in a few days, I am thinking its time for a top up on one or both of those. (B12 will be an injection and Iron is an infusion (they drip it into my veins) )

Still waiting for my last group certificate to come through so that I can do my tax and I will be putting in another call today because I got told last week that they were done and should be coming out . . .and still NOTHING GGGRRRRR!

Less then a mth and I am 29 WOW!

Love to All
Cara xo

13mths and counting

2010-07-23T13:17:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Jasper is 13mths old today and I think I can say that he is WALKING!!! (not all the time but he can walk for maybe 10-20 steps on his own)

For those that haven’t seen the video on my facebook page I will try and get a better one over the weekend to put on here :-))

I am the Mum of an over one year old, that’s just CRAZY!!

His fav word is still Ta and he says it with meaning, so when he wants stuff he will point to it and say Ta, pretty smart little man. He can recognise what other words mean like when I say its bath time he’ll head to the bathroom and if we say breakfast etc . .

He still gets emo in the evenings with other people if he is really tired . . .and not just with other people but with me too if he is really tired, just what you want at the end of the day!!

Food well just wave some in his way and he wants it :-))

We have a play date this Sunday with Auntie Jenny and Nyah to go to the indoor playground up near me which I have started going to atleast once a weekend, its lots of fun and Jasper really enjoys it . . unfortunately you can't take pictures in there so you'll just have to try and picture his smiling face playing in the ball pit and climbing up everything!!

13 more sleeps and we are on holidays YAY :-))))

Love to All
Cara xo

Holiday / Research trip

2010-07-20T10:54:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Jasper is going to have his second plane trip early next month, I have booked us a trip over to QLD to check it all out and have a look at some daycare centres etc . .

There actually is a house that I think might be perfect for us, we will go and see it when we are there, it’s in a suburb not too far from Brisbane CBD and has recently been renovated. The owners are going overseas for a year at the end of October which is perfect cause that is when I am heading over and wanted to give it at least 12mths over in QLD to see if it’s for us or not.

If that house is as awesome in real life as it is in the pics and descriptions I have had from the owner then Jasper and I will have lots of time to holiday and relax because that cuts out my suburb research I was going to do when I first booked the tickets. Instead I will check out the daycares and get my name down and I think just do some relaxing . . .find some fun stuff Jasper and I can do together.

The first night I am staying at a hotel near the airport but the other 5 nights I am booked in a 1 bed apartment that I got really cheap on the Gold Coast. The only thing I haven’t done yet is book my car rental. .. .

It’s been a bit of a headache with deciding what to do with my furniture and belongings (for the actual move in October/November) however I think I may have come up with the solution but I won’t finalise it all until I have come back from QLD next mth :-))

I am looking forward to having a week off work and some warmer weather!!

Love to All
Cara xo

Jasper and Chloe before she left daycare

Jasper and Kable unwrapping at his bday party!

Decisions Decisions Oh So Many

2010-07-15T10:51:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

As the title says Decisions and too many of them!! Don’t get me wrong though I am thankful that I have a great life and live in an awesome time and place that I have choices.

That said . . . my head is spinning!

I had my head and heart set on the Gold Coast as a place to settle in Queensland, I just love the atmosphere and location, beach’s etc . .

Then I decided to google again the commute time to work in Brisbane and also chatted to someone that has moved from there to here just recently . . .lets just say I don’t have enough time in my life to spend 3hrs a day getting to and from work!! It would mean I would basically drop Jasper off go to work, pick him up then put him to bed . . .NOT the lifestyle I am wanting.

Some may be asking why working in Brisbane, basically the answer is that there aren’t too many jobs in the gold coast in my industry, and I don’t want to take a step backwards work wise at this time of life, not when I will soon be paying for schooling costs.

So this has led me to think that perhaps living in Brisbane would be better, of course it will have to be the right location and the right cost . . .so that I can go to the gold coast on weekends and stay over etc . .

NOW let’s talk about the cost of transporting your goods and car across country FAR OUT! I have had a few quotes so far and neither is particularly cheaper then the other even backloading which everyone says is supposed to be cheaper??!!!

This means I am now thinking wether its worth taking it all over or wether to leave it in storage here for say a year then decide if I am staying over there or coming back. That means though that I need to get a fully furnished rental or buy really cheap furniture when I get over there and just a minimal amount

Arrrgghhhh that’s just a small snippet of all the things running through my head!

Anyone out there reading with some advise I can use???

Love to All
Cara xo

Biding Time

2010-07-08T10:10:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Now I have made the decision to go to the Gold Coast I feel like I just want it to be time to go. Its not that I dislike it here in Perth or that I won’t miss my family and friends very much its just that I feel like I am treading water waiting for it to be D day.

Does that make sense to people?

I have lots of things to do before I leave including organizing movers, narrowing down suburbs, researching childcares, sorting stuff to go into storage (not going to take all my books and childhood things) etc…

D day actually doesn’t have a date yet cause there are lots of factors that make that up however I hope to know be the end of this mth fingers crossed!

On the home front things are good, Jasper is continuing to grow and get stronger on his feet . .still no walking yet. He was very much enjoying some fresh pretzel that I gave him yesterday and still eats heaps of anything with rice, I swear if they didn’t know me so well at daycare they would have me up on starving charges . . .Jasper has had 3 bowls of lunch a few times this week!

Our daycare is something that I will very much miss when we leave . . . I am lucky that the first daycare I got him into is the best. The facility is nice and new and bright and fresh, the staff are just awesome, I think it does help too that I take the time to talk to them and find out how he is going. I don’t just dump and run or pick up and run . . .quite often I will sit down on the floor and have a chat when I go to pick him up.

Jasper went to his first 4th of July thing on the weekend, unfortunately we got there a little too late to get the good food and things they had on sale . . .I don’t think they expected it to be as popular as it was.

I am considering a few days break somewhere maybe next mth, however will wait till I do my tax and until I decide on a Gold Coast departure date.

Love to All

Cara xo

Move over Canda, Gold Coast here we come!!

2010-07-02T10:12:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

As you can see from the title and also from my facebook status I have finally made my decision . . .well actually Jaspers Paed made my decision.

I got Jaspers blood test results back and the Dr called to go through them with me, everything showed up as fine his iron, white blood cell count etc. However his Allergy test was slightly higher then it should be, which at this stage of his young life just means that he has an allergy . . .no idea to what yet but its nothing really bad or else he wouldn't be as happy and healthy as he is.
The slight allergy with the Laryngomalacia coupled with cold weather wouldn't make for a very happy healthy environment for my little man so the warm sunny weather here we come!

Of course there were a few other factors like money for medical expenses in a foreign country etc which came into it too :-))

This means I have tickets to cancel, accomodation to cancel and removelist quotes to get. I don't see the point of putting things into storage and paying for that I may as well just send it all over with us including my car.

Stay tuned for suburb research, housing research etc.

Anyone with cross country moving advice please leave me comments or anyone else who just wants to comment on this please do :-))

Love to All
Cara xo

3rd Celebration was fun

2010-06-29T11:13:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Jaspers 1st Birthday celebrations are officially over :-((

We had a awesome time at the party on Sunday, some yummy food made mostly by Auntie Mel with Sausage rolls made by Auntie Ash. I of course made some sweet food, Choc crackles and lemon cupcakes.

Unfortunately I forgot to give someone camera duty and hence we now only have a few pics, BUT I did borrow a video camera so we did get some fun footage and I am looking forward to viewing it in a few weeks :-))

We nearly didn't have the helium balloons, I only remembered late Saturday afternoon that I had to pick them up from Spotlight!

Jasper was completely spoilt rotten by everyone, he recieved some really cool books and very cute clothes Oh and a noisey but fun toy from Auntie Libby.
(His bookshelf is filling up which is nice and I will work out a time of the day thats best to read to him soon)

He constantly astonishes me with how much he eats but still manages to stay under the average line on the little graph thing they give you when they are born . . .hmm I wonder when exactly that gets updates over the years . .
When we went to the Paed last week he got weighed and was 9.76kgs.

Yesterday I took him back to get his blood test done, hoping this time that they would find the vein and they did YAY so I should get those results in a few days.

My head was starting to get a bit overwhelmed in deciding Canada or the Gold Coast . . .and I have still not made a decision, I am waiting for the blood tests and then may wait until I have done my tax as this will allow me to have a better idea how much money I will have by November.
The financial year ends tomorrow, then I have to wait for all the group certificates and statements from Health funds, Government etc . .before I can actually do my tax.
So it may be awhile before I make a complete decision regarding our place of living for later this year.

On a lighter note, I think it won't be too long till Jasper is walking . . .he is getting much stronger on his legs and just wants to walk everywhere.

Love to All

Cara xo

We have a diagnosis

2010-06-25T08:55:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

All of you that have met Jasper will know that he is a slightly noisy breather (which in medical speak is called stridor) and has what sounds like a chesty cough. Yesterday I found the answer as to why he is like this.

Jasper has whats called "laryngomalacia" or 'floppy larynx syndrome'. Bascially, he was born with a slightly deformed larynx, which effectively narrows his windpipe resulting in whistly breathing. Its a benign (harmless) condition that he will grow out of by the time he is 2yrs old when the whole throat area stiffens up with cartlidge and no longer is floppy (until then he has to sound like darth vardor). The cough is as a result of the build up of mucus at the larynx, so he must constantly clear his throat. More details here... http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-laryngomalacia.htm

On further reading I discovered that alot of babies with this condition tend to have gruff voices (due to the mucus and slight swelling from clearing the throat)
. The Paedeatrician gave him a clean bill of health (apart from the larygomalacia that is).

The only problem he might have is that he might be more heavily affected by a common cold than most other babies, and I have already found that to be the case over the past winter. Also with teething and the build up of more saliva this will cause more coughing SO hey I wasn't so wrong when I put his cough down to teething as well.

Anyway I just thought I'd update you all. Its quite amusing that such a little problem has such a big complicated name, and at least you no longer have to think I am letting him die of pneumonia everytime you see him.

If anyone reading has any stories about this condition please leave me a comment.

Love to All
Cara :-))

PS. Yes this may change my descision to move to Canada . . .might be the warm weather of the Gold Coast that wins out instead.
Jasper is having some blood tests done too so I will make a more informed decision after I get those back. xo

A Letter to Jasper on his First Birthday

2010-06-24T13:40:00.000+08:00

Dear Jasper,

Your first Birthday has been and gone and wow the time has flown.

I have watched you change from a tiny little wriggling baby to a little boy who can move around and is always ready to smile and giggle. You find such joy in the small things like a person at the shops smiling at you or watching Mummy do a silly dance move.

You enjoy most foods but are not particularly into strong tasting things like capsicum, garlic or onion. Also we are working on getting you to eat more fruit! Your favorite food is Rice, you don’t care if its plain or in a risotto or fried just as long as its rice :-))

I think its very easy to say your favorite things are balloons! Mummy got you some helium balloons for your birthday for you to take and play with at daycare with your friends, though your best friend at daycare Chloe is leaving soon which will be sad. However I have no doubt you will be finding a new best friend soon there.

You enjoy being out and about and around people. When we are out at a restaurant you will sit in your high chair and just watch people go by (that’s in between bites of Mummy’s food!) It's like that when you are in your pram too. We go to Coles most afternoons after I pick you up so that you can sit in the trolley and smile at all the shoppers, you like to try and hold everything that Mummy gets off the shelves even if it’s really, really cold.

Teeth are your biggest owwee at the moment, you have 4 teeth at the moment your two top ones and your two bottom ones. However I think you have one of your eye teeth cutting through at the moment.

You're crawling around everywhere at a very high speed, and also pulling yourself up to your feet on everything then cruising around. You can’t quite walk on your own yet but I have no doubt that you will be in the next month or so cause you are getting stronger and stronger on your feet everyday and your balance is improving.

You are so cute and Mummy is very blessed to have you in her life so are the rest of your relatives and Mummy's friends. We have Uncle Kurt and Auntie Ash living with us at the moment and you are getting more used to having them there everyday that you are even going looking for them around the house now if they walk out of the room.

Your Auntie T is still your favorite Auntie (well she tells you that all the time) and you have sleepovers at her house once a mouth. She can’t wait for you to sleep a little later though then 6am :-)) Auntie T spoils you lots you’re a very lucky little boy to have her as your God/Earth Mother.

Nan also spoils you and she has looked after you a few times too when Mummy has had to work, she can’t wait until you are old enough to go on the horses with her, you have hugged one of her horses Shamrock. Actually you could start your riding on Missy her dalmation doggie then move on to Harley her great dane doggie! Pa I think is waiting till you start playing footy (Aussie Rules of course, don’t let your Auntie Liz ever teach you that soccer is football or footy!) and can tinker with cars.

Grandma Gail is your most regular babysitter and has the most number of cool toys!! You were a very lucky little boy and came on holiday with her and Mummy when you were only 10 mths old to Bali. We had such fun together all of us, you enjoyed playing in the pool and getting us to push you under the water fountain. Of course you got to eat your favorite food there every day RICE!

Auntie Jan is your photographer and part time baby sitter, she made sure you crawled properly and is getting you ready to be in her Kindy Class in a few years.

You have only been swimming in the beach once and that was with your Uncle Clay, Auntie Mel and your one and only cousin Meelah. You do enjoy being in the water though and have no fear of it, Mummy is hoping to start you doing swimming lessons later this year maybe.

Your playmates outside of daycare are Nyah and Cable, Auntie Jenny and I have no doubt that when you are walking you and Nyah will get up to lots of mischief!!

For your Birthday you had a very fun day filled with Balloons, presents, friends and cakes. Mummy got some helium balloons and put them above your cot so that you saw them as soon as the light went on in the morning. We opened some presents on our own then Uncle Kurt and Auntie Ash gave you their present. After that Mummy dropped you off at daycare with your balloons and some cupcakes to enjoy with your friends. We had dinner that night at home with Auntie T, and Kash (I will explain this to you when you get older) we got Thai food so that you could have some fried rice then we had yummy cake made by your Auntie T. Ohh and the adults had champagne, very nice champagne, that Auntie T bought for Mummy.

You received lots of msg’s through out the day via Mummy’s mobile and also on Facebook. Your Nan called and sang you happy Birthday and so did your Pa. You got sung happy birthday at daycare and also one of the ladies played you Happy Birthday on their harmonica you got a little shy when she did that.

Oh that reminds me that your other fav thing is music and dancing, you get so happy when there is music on and you start clapping and bopping away, Mummy is hoping that you keep this love of Music and dance for your whole life!

You do know how to wave goodbye and you can say oh oh which is very cute and mainly said when you drop things.

So little boy Jasper your first year has been filled with lots of amazing things with lots of fun and laughter and also some tears especially when you have had an owwee tummy which happened a lot when you were really little. You have also been in hospital overnight already when you got a bad cold but Mummy had a bed in your room with you :-)

You’re a very loved very cherished little boy and Mummy can’t wait to see what the next year has in store, and to watch you grow even more.

Happy First Birthday Jasper we get to celebrate more on Sunday with all of your other Aunties and Uncles.

I love you Jasper, Mummy xoxoxo

PS. You have lots of other very important people in your life little Man however Mummy couldn’t mention them all otherwise this would have been an even longer letter!

PPS. Thank you goes to FF for editing and remember Jasper when you need help on your English assignments, spelling etc go to her!

Bored at work!

2010-06-15T14:01:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

The system that I need to actually do my job has been down since Friday . . .since then I have done numerous things like doing preparations for Jaspers Bday party, Taking Jasper for his 1 year shots, having long lunch's . . .putting things on ebay, ummm updating facebook pics . . .and of course blogging!

SO for those of you that work what is the first thing you do when your systems are down be in computer or maybe power outage etc . .for those of you that don't work outside of the home now what did you used to do??

I have googled everything I can think of . . .from things for Canada to Asthma stuff as I am begining to worry Jasper might infact have something not quite right with his chest.
I took him to the GP yesterday who didn't have that much to say so I am taking him to a Paediatrician next week the day after his 1st bday to see what he can tell me.
He just forever seems to have a heavy chest or some sort of cough . . .I have been going along with it for ages now but think I had best get it checked out properly especially as I am planning to move to a very cold country and away from our free health care system!! (well mainly free if you go public, however I am going to a private paediatrician who deff isn't cheap!!)

Anyone reading have any experience with infant/young child Asthma or broncial problems?

Hope her Mummy doesn't mind me posting pics of her! Was also showing the yummy cupcakes that Jasper and I enjoyed eating!!

Thanks for reading

Love to All

Cara xo

Picture overload

2010-06-14T10:13:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

I haven't blogged for awhile and I know I am naughty!!
I think the problem is I am not sure which direction to take this blog . . .wether to keep it as a day to day thing of my life or wether to post my random idea's and thoughts as well . . .

So while I think I might just do a bit of both and see how it ends up!

Life has been busy as usual however this past weekend was pretty quiet besides attending a very cute little girls 2nd Birthday Party :-))

So for this post I am just doing lots of pictures . . .

Playing with Nan

The Bday Girl :-))Playing on the bouncy castleSmiling with MummyRolling back and forwardsI like this pic of Bday girl with her ParentsTrying to get out!

Love to All

Cara xo

The Stars Aligned this Weekend

2010-05-24T09:02:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

We had a really pleasant/lovely/Nice weekend :-))

One of those weekends where things just all flowed along nicely with no major drama or stress and both healthy!!

Friday afternoon I picked up Jasper and took him for a bit of a hair trim as his fringe and the back of his hair was getting long . . . .he was perfectly behaved and didn't make a noise.

Saturday: A lovely early morning then we went to visit a friend and went to gymbaroo, I am still not sure that I like gymbaroo however I will keep going along for this term. I am thinking to take Jasper to an indoor play ground once a week on the weekends instead . . .he love the climbing around on the equipment and playing but isn't so keen on the matt time . . .at this age he just wants to move around and practice his stuff :-))

After gymbaroo we did a spot of food shopping, then had a friend over for dinner and a dvd . . .a yummy dinner which I cooked by the way, it is really nice when I have another adult or two to cook for.

Sunday: JASPER IS 11mths OLD!! I finally managed to get to church! They have a huge creche and childrens set up there . . .he was in the young room still of course and after the sermon when I went to pick him up they said he was a blessing and just had fun playing :-)))

After Church we went home for a bit before R & P came over and we headed into Freo for some lunch and walking around. Jasper has just been awesome this weekend I truely believe he loves being out and about as much as I do . . .he enjoys interacting with other people no matter their age etc . .and also enjoys people watching . . .hmm I wonder where he gets that from LOL.

He has enjoyed a variety of food this weekend and especially yesterday where he got to taste lots of diff food, including some of my fish . . .a melted marshmellow, some donut and hot choc, very tart fresh raspberries . .of course this was all in small amounts!! I just love that he will try it all and pretty much eats it all :-))

So all in all a really great weekend! I am now slightly behind in washing and ironing however not too bad and you know what stuff it . . .after being sick for over a week it was really nice to enjoy some happy fun time with Jasper and catch up with friends.

I still have lots of party planning to do for Jaspers First bday however I am slowly getting there . . .Jasper has a cool new outfit to wear for his party bought yesterday for him by R&P :-))

Love to All

Cara xo

NOTE: I don't use people's real names unless they let me know that I can, I feel strongly about privacy which is why I use nicknames.

A week of Sickness's

2010-05-21T13:28:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay in posting just when I was getting better and more regular!

Sat May 8th Jasper woke up with conjunctive itis :-(( it never go to too bad because I got the drops straight away which convieniently had just become available over the counter that week instead of having to get a script from the Dr.
Though it didn't get too bad . . .it fricken took ages to get rid of!!

THEN I started to feel pretty blah myself and ended up with a cold and was unable to go to work for the whole week :-((

I am now on anti-biotics so starting to feel better PHEW!

Jaspers two top front teeth seem to be budding . . .this means you can see them under the gum now but I don't think they have broken through yet . . .I can't seem to get my finger in there to find out lol.

So I hope that explains my absence.

WE did also have Jaspers Kidney check up at the childrens hospital on Monday and all is looking good, we don't have to have it check again for a year :-)))

Having a nap in Mum's arms

GG had to get 3 to sleep at once, Jasper in blueNot quite what I had in mind when I purchased the trolly!

Love to All

Cara xo

What’s your life saying?

2010-05-07T11:16:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

So a friend of mine posted a status on facebook this morning that said “I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become”

I liked this and made me think of something I say a lot which is “life is what you make of it, NOT what it makes of you”

I have other friends which have taped around their house “what you think about you bring about”

SO my question to you all is; what is your saying, what is that one thing you say and believe it?

I know that a few of you have some so I would love you to leave a comment and let us know what it is :-))

Happy FRIDAY!!
Love to All
Cara xo

Art Work

2010-05-07T08:13:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Jasper is on his way to being an artist . . .well atleast doing handprints anyway!!

Here's to hoping he gets more artistic talent then his Mother!!

Jasper Playing Early May 10

2010-05-05T13:57:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Hope you all enjoyed

Love to All
Cara xo

LEAVING COMMENTS

2010-05-05T11:04:00.000+08:00

***I TRIED TO DO THIS WITH SCREEN DUMPS BUT IT DIDN'T WORK, PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU NEED MORE HELP IN LEAVING COMMENTS*****

How to leave a comment on my posts!

THANK YOU ALL for reading my Blog, I know there are people reading cause I get things written on Facebook or emails about posts . . .please try and leave me comments on here :-)))

Towards the bottom of the post you will see a comments button there in the blue, click on that

It will bring up a new window where you can type your comment in . . .pick anonymous unless you know otherwise for your identity. Then click publish your comment

You will then get a new screen.

Your comment will not appear straight away until I accept it :-)
Thank you by leaving comments I know there are some people out there reading and interested in hearing what is happening in our lives!

Love to All
Cara xo

Balance of life and days

2010-05-05T09:38:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

As part of my morning routine like many other people out there now I read the blogs that I follow, I actually only have about 5 so it doesn't take too long.
Many I read make me think and are thought provoking . . .this morning I wanted to share a post that Mandy had written on her blog http://www.harpershappenings.com/ to sum it up she writes about balance and trying to fit so much in to her day but still going to bed feeling disapointed and like she has disapointed others in her life.

How many of us out there feel like that? I bet most people do . . . .I did before I had a child and I do now, my comment to her was:

Thank you for blogging, since finding your blog about 1 mth ago now you are part of my morning routine when I get to work in the morning.
Like many of the ladies and perhaps gentleman that have read this I can sympathise . . .and could have written your post myself.
I go to bed most nights annoyed at myself for not going to bed sooner, but by the time I get JB down to his cot and do a few things around the house and maybe managed to watch a show the hours have ticked passed.
I work full time, I am a fulltime single Mum by choice (on my own concieved through a donor) and I like to still get out ocasionally to see friends etc . .
I was forced last year to really assess how much I let other people's comments or views about me affect my life and decided that life is too short and the days to short to let that affect me . . .I am doing the best I can for my child and for myself other people aren't me and they aren't living my life!

Its true how much time do we waste thinking about what others think about us? I can honestly say that I spend less time thinking about it now then I used to and I think I have motherhood to thank for that.
It seems everyone has an opinion on how you should be raising your child . . .what you are doing wrong and how they did it or their relative/friend/mum did it and "it worked for them so it should work for you"
I had to learn pretty quickly that I have to do whats right for me and whats right for my child . . . .he is a happy, healthy social little boy who enjoys interacting with others both adults and children, so I can't be doing it all wrong!

The other part that made me think was how much we seem to want to squeeze into the days now, we want to work, we want to care for our child and spouse, we want a clean house, meals, time for friends and socialising etc . . . .I think the thing we seem to skip out on is time for ourselves.
Sad but so true isn't it, how many of us would try and fit in cleaning the house or doing that load of washing rather then sitting down to read a book or watch some mindless tv?

Thanks for reading my thoughts for today, I hope its made you think.

Love to All

Cara xo

The Big Change News Is IN!!

2010-05-03T14:49:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

It's Monday again and I am tired AGAIN! No it isn't from partying too hard on the weekend its from having a son who wakes and stirs loudly in the night . . . .I don't have to actually get up but he cries for awhile then goes back to sleep and this can happen a few times in the night. I am off to the http://www.healingpoint.com.au/ this week hopefully for a check up for Jasper to see if there is anything going on in his body that needs some work or herbs :-))
I have been taking Jasper to the Healing point since he was about 5 weeks old I think they are amazing ladies in there I would recomend it, they have accupuncturist, osteopaths and lots of other things.

Saturday morning was a frustraiting morning which took me to the end of my rope and saw me having a very strong gin and tonic Saturday night. I had one of those mornings on the road where I just wished I could have flown . . . .between forgetting my navman, getting dodgy directions . . .then roadworks I was a mess. I missed my little Bro's skydive and missed Jaspers first gymbaroo class which I was really looking forward too GGGGGGRRRRRRRRR

Sunday was a lot more pleasant, I had a car cruise fundraiser to go to for Pride WA. Thankfully I had roped Tenille into navigating for me or else Jasper and I would have been opening that emergency envelope to find out where we were supposed to be.

THE NEWS: Jasper and I will be moving to Calgary Canada in November for a year. I have decided that I need a bit of a change for awhile, I am stuck in a bit of a rut and drifting . . . .now is the time to do this before Jasper starts school, as I am hoping to get him in to a Montessori school he will be starting when he turns 3 that means I need to do this now.
It is something I have thought a lot about and done a lot of research into, things like housing prices, cost of living, daycare options, wage rates, jobs available etc . .

I will be writing much more about this as the mths, weeks and days go by in the lead up to D day!!

We will be leaving a few days after Kurt and Ash's wedding :-))

Love to All
Cara xo

PS. Pic is Jasper in the car while we were doing the car rally

Last weekend in April . .Already!

2010-04-30T14:26:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Seriously is this year flying past or is it just me??
Don't you remember when were were at school the weeks and terms used to go soooo slowly, now I feel like I could almost blink and miss a month.

Its nearly weekend time and I am gearing up for a mildly busy one, the evenings are free though ;-)

Tomorrow morning Jasper and I will be heading out early to watch Kurt (my younger bro) jump out of a plane, he wanted to skydive for his bday which was a few weeks ago.
Then I have to race back home to get Jasper and I to his first Gymbaroo class :-)))
Sunday we are off to a car rally . . .dragging along Auntie T who is hopefully going to be really good at guessing the clues!

Jasper is now saying Ta and oh oh . . . .his Ta sounds more like Daaah but is still very cute!

He is pulling himself up more and more on things now and I think my mission this weekend is to find a wooden trolley thing like this

So that he can pull himself up on that and start moving around on it as I don't have a lot of things around the house that he can practice pulling himself up on then moving around on his feet.

Plans are getting in place for the big change later this year!!

Love to All

Cara xo

1 Day Post Bali

2010-04-28T09:35:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

We got back from Bali late yesterday afternoon, it was a great trip, Jasper travelled like a pro and was no problems at all on the flight there or back :-))

Luckily he is a social child and loves people as well as people watching . . . .there were many people wanting to get a touch of him or trying to make him smile . .infact I think more people talked to him then myself or GG.

We shopped, we walked, we swam, we ate . . .that was it, it was a lot of fun I however have a low tollerance level for people harrasing me to buy things and also haggling two things which are hard to escape in Bali on the streets or beach. Hence we did hit heaps of department stores and picked up great bargins there as well.

Leaving Bali

First Morning checking out the beach

Eating by the pool

Another meal of rice by the beach in Sanua

Yep you guessed it fried rice for Jasper

A lovely setting for lunch

Before we left Jasper fav food was rice . . .after 5 days of eating friend rice I am not sure if it will be now!!

Love to All
Cara :-))

3 more sleeps till Bali

2010-04-19T15:13:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Yep I am counting down the sleeps ;-)
Had my B12 shot at lunch before going and getting some currency to use while I am away.

Friday afternoon I did a bit of a power shop after picking up Jasper from daycare and I am now the owner of a new water proof/shock proof digital camera! Plus I went and got a mozzie net to put over Jaspers cot and met a gentleman who is an expert on Bali and I now have two pages of places to go for all different things like childrens clothes, cosmetics, womans clothes . .plus the best insect repelent.

I still have some things to get mainly for Jasper, its amazing how many things you have to take extra when traveling with a child . . . .I am trying not to take too much as I know I can buy it over there and for pretty cheap but there are certain things I have to take.

Still getting plans in place for the big thing later this year.

Jasper will be 10mths old on Friday FAR OUT!! It really has flown (how cliche)

Okay just about time to head off and start on the next list of errands!

Love to All
Cara :-))

Will day

2010-04-16T07:48:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Today I am doing something I should have done ages and ages ago, I am doing my Will. Since having Jasper I knew that I needed to get one done just to have it all in writting that Jasper is to go to Auntie T should anything happen to me. I know that my family would not contest this however you never know whats going to happen so I just want it all down in black and white also of course any assests I have and Jaspers scholarship fund etc . .

Doing things like this makes you realise that your a grown up now, doesn't it. People reading might find this a strange thing to say but I understand now what "adults" meant when I was younger and they said you never feel older . . .I know physically we start to feel older but in our heads do you think we ever feel older?
Reading facebook posts about people getting married or having children just brings it home that we are all grown up now . . .
Does that stop me saying when I grow up I want to be . . . .NOPE cause one day I am sure I will get my grown up dream job :-))

Anyway this is kind of a rambling post but I thought it was worth posting.

Only 6 more sleeps and we are off to BALI woohoo I have got some mega planning and list writing to do this weekend so that I have everything packed that I need . . .traveling with a child is new for me.

Jasper is enjoying crawling around everywhere and can pull himself to his feet on occasion, he has yet to do it at daycare but has managed to do it about 4 times at home :-))

Love to All
Cara xo

After Easter 2010

2010-04-13T11:46:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

A few snaps from our Easter down at Mum and Dad's! Don't you love the pink sparkly cow :-))

Easter was lovely the right combo of relaxing and family with some retail therapy and some very yummy food lovingly made by my Mum (though I did make one meal).

Monday night however I started being sick and didn't manage to actually keep anything in my stomach until Friday . . . .let me just say this was not the way I wanted to lose weight to look good in my bathers for Bali later this mth.
However I am now feeling human again and ready to blog again :-))

Jasper has now mastered crawling and is taking on his next challenge of pulling himself up on things, he is so clever. Bath time has now moved to the proper bath as he really was getting to big for his baby bath on the kitchen sink . . .and the cot has been moved to the bottom setting so he can't make a jump for freedom in the night.

I am now starting proper getting ready and planning for Bali seeing as we are leaving next Thursday! I can not wait to relax by the pool and shop and relax by the pool and drink and relax by the pool . . .can we see the theme there hehe

Plans for the big change later this year are in motion and once I get word back on the latest step I will be ready to reveal all :-))

Love to All
Cara xo

B12 shots

2010-03-31T13:45:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Yesterday I had a B12 shot after my regular iron level blood test. Its the first time I have ever had one and wasn't really sure what to expect, my Dr decided it was a good idea for me though with my low iron levels and low energy levels. Also I am unable to take B12 orally much like I can't take iron orally . . .so a shot was the way to go.

Now I am not sure if this is related however I woke up this morning and thought to myself WOW I don't think I woke up last night at all . . . .which would be the first time in AGES that I haven't woken up in the night.

There are many things listed as the benifits of B12 shots, increased energy, lower stress level, helping sleep, better moods etc . .
So I am going to monitor how it goes and keep getting them, I have another 2 shots to have in the script that I bought and you can go weekly to start with, however I think I might go and get the next one just before I go away to Bali towards the end of April.

Thanks for reading and commenting Erica :-))
JM I know you checked this out too.

Off to Mum and Dad's for Easter tonight, Mum is going to watch Jasper while I go to work on site tomoro . .I am sure they will both have a great day together :-))

Love Cara xo

We're getting the new editor worked out!

2010-03-30T10:50:00.000+08:00

Picture uploading is worked out!

The Outcome

2010-03-30T10:40:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Well I have decided to give it a try for awhile and blog most days, reading some pretty cool blogs has helped one in particular I really like :-))

Jasper hasn't quite decided if he wants to crawl or not . . .he seems to have gone on crawl strike over the weekend but then when I put him down yesterday after we got home he did crawl a little bit. He's I think more happy that he can get to the sitting position from laying down now lol

Its nearly Easter time and I have yet to buy my Easter gifts . . .this isn't good, might try and get a few at lunch time tomorrow or even go after work as Jasper LOVES sitting in the trolley.
Heading down to Mum and Dad's for a few nights over Easter, some fresh country air and home cooking :-))

Hmmm I was going to attach a pic but I was playing around with things on here yesterday and seem to have changed some settings that I really need gggrrrr that will teach me!! I am going to try and work on the blog lay out and change things around a bit . . .

Love
Cara :-))

To blog or not to blog

2010-03-29T08:26:00.002+08:00

Hi All,

I have just been cruising around looking at random people's blogs and its inspired me to perhaps start blogging more and also try and work out a way to make my blog more cool looking!

Hey I have a pretty interesting life, I go out and about, I have an amazing little boy who is very photogenic, and I am making plans for perhaps a big change towards the end of the year.

So to blog more or not to blog more is the question.

I will attach some pics too for those of you that log on here to see pics of my little boy . . . .

Love to All
Cara xo

New Year New Pictures

2010-01-18T08:02:00.002+08:00

Cute Pics

2009-11-02T14:38:00.001+08:00

Heya All,

A few pics that Auntie JM took on Saturday afternoon!!

I think I need to hire her as my family photographer

Love Cara

A day to wear black

2009-10-30T10:36:00.002+08:00

Hi All,

Well tomorrow is Halloween, so the daycare is doing Halloween stuff today.

I raced out last night to get atleast something black for him to wear and managed to get something cute :-)

When he is older I will be doing trick or treating ect with him if he would like to, when I was growing up I wasn't allowed to do it and always wanted too!! Sorry Mum I know you will be reading this, but I did want to . . .actually I did do it once only one house as a dare, I promise!! LOL

Jasper is loving daycare and is always happy when I leave him and pick him up. . . . I got there the other day and saw him interacting with some of the other children and that made me very happy. As he is going to be an only child it was important for me to make sure he got used to other children and learns to share ect.

Love to All
Cara

Jasper has found his toes!

2009-10-28T09:28:00.002+08:00

4mth pics

2009-10-26T15:02:00.004+08:00

Jasper Brae is 4mths OLD

2009-10-26T15:01:00.001+08:00

Hi All,

Well its true what they say the time really does fly passed!! Jasper is just over 4mths old and WOW the time has flown passed soooo quickly.

He is an amazing little boy who is a flirt already I am sure of it, he gives cheeky grins and does little chuckles J

So tall/long and getting so strong already. He loves to chatter and interact, and I am sure he will be talking before I know it cause he is always around people and talking!!

He is starting to eat rice cereal and various mash food that sorry to say comes from a JAR, Yes I admit I am feeding my child from a JAR . . .really people you can buy organic stuff now, I don't see much of a difference to what I could make and also TIME is a big factor now that I am back at work full time. He seems to enjoy eating whatever I give him at this stage and he is up to about 6 different fruit/veg . . I am not sure I have mastered getting the spoon into his mouth properly all the time but hey we get there LOL

He took his 4mth injections just like he did the 2mth . . .like a pro!! Cried for less then a minute and was fine after that, see an amazing little boy! (Okay we all know I am slightly biased!!)

As mentioned above, I am now working full time which means Jasper goes to Daycare full time and enjoys it . . .he's always chattering and happy when I drop him off and pick him up and they are EXCELLENT with him, they love him and all take turns with him J I am very lucky to have such a great daycare just down the road from me!

I update pics on facebook pretty regularly so please contact me if you aren't my friend on there yet and would like to be.

Love Cara

Vote for Jasper!!

2009-10-19T10:18:00.001+08:00

Thanks all

I will write some posts and add some pics soon

Love Cara

Picture update

2009-08-17T09:26:00.003+08:00

Heya All,

Time for some more pics.

Jasper has the tale end of a cold at the momment which saw us spent one night in the childrens hospital due to it making him wheezy and hard to draw air in . . .however we got let out the next morning in time for me to enjoy the afternoon of my Birthday :-))

Other then that he has been having different tests done on his kidney but all is showing up alright at this stage.

I had moved him from his Bassenett to his cot but the past few nights I have had him back in the bassenet so that he could be in the loungeroom with his heater to help his cold and breething.

I am just putting on all different pics :-))

Love to All

Cara

A Social Weekend

2009-07-14T08:40:00.004+08:00

Heya All,

Jasper is doing well, the new formular I started him on is making his tummy a lot more comfortable for him. Also we went to the child health nurse for the weigh in yesterday and he is doing very nicely and above average on that front too YAY!!

We have been very lucky with people to visit and people visiting us too :-))

A few more pics cause I notice if I don't put up some regularly there are complaints (not naming names)!!!

Okay Mr JB is fed which means its time for a walk

Love to All

Cara :-))

Over Two Weeks old

2009-07-09T11:07:00.003+08:00

Heya All,

Jasper is now 16days old!!!

He is having a few owwee momments with his tummy but I am trying a few different drops and things to get the right combo to work . . .poor little boy as there is nothing you can do except hold him and move him around.

I haven't actually got many new pics but am attaching a few taken the other day when Mum and Dad came up for lunch :-))

Jasper and I are doing well besides his tummy, we get out for a walk most days and also go visiting or go the shops ect . . .no sitting around the house for us!!

Love to All

Cara :-)))

Second coming home

2009-06-30T16:23:00.003+08:00

Heya All,

Jasper was let out of hospital today after 3 nights in there for his Jaundice . . .the levels are down now and he got the clean bill of health :-))

I of course took more pics . . .so thought I would post some while he was sleeping.

Tomorrow we have the child health nurse coming to visit . . . .hopefully she is nice!!

Jasper is back to his birth weight plus a bit more YAY

More Pics

2009-06-29T07:31:00.003+08:00

Left: Uncle Kurt with Jasper
Below: Where Jasper is at the momment
Left Lower: Waiting to come home
Right Lower: First bath at home
Bottom: Just after he was born

A few more pics for you all . . . .seeing as the other ones did manage to download :-))

Love to All

Cara

Jasper Brae has arrived 23rd June 2009

2009-06-29T06:45:00.004+08:00

Left: Going home on Thursday
Below: Auntie Tenille doing his first bottle
Left Lower: getting checked out after birth
Right Lower: Our First pic

Heya All,

Sorry for pic delays, my internet is on slow at the momment so I am not even sure if these will go on but I am trying for those of you that haven't seen pics of him yet.

We are both healing and getting better, Jaser is currently under light therapy for Jaundice which was due to his very large bruise after being vaccumed out in a hurry and I am having physio for a very bruised and battered tailbone . . .so we are both getting some time to heal.

Will try and post more about actual birth and days that followed when I have a chance.

Nursery Rug and 34wk check up

2009-05-19T09:37:00.003+08:00

Heya All,

Thank you for the lovely comments those of you that left them :-))

Don't you just love the cool rug I found for the nursery!! I have polished floor boards and high ceilings which makes the house pretty chilly in winter so I wanted a nice rug and its animal themed.

I had my check up yesterday and they have now decided I have to have an iron infusion so I am booked in for tomorrow and will be linked up to the IV for about 6-7hrs . . lucky I have a big novel to read, plus will take my portable DVD player :-)

While she was doing the check up she discovered too that JB is laying in a transverse/oblique position which at 34wks isn't too good . . .so he has a few weeks to turn himself around before they start talking scheduling a C section. I am not too worried what will be will be . . . I have no birth plan or anything cause basically I think you just never know what will happen or how it will be anyway!

SO it was a informative appointment and the Dr was just great, I have to go back weekly now so fingers crossed I get to see her again next Monday :-)

The Nursery hasn't changed from the other pictures yet . . .I am going to get a friend to help me move the furniture around and make it a bit nicer, I am not so good at that kind of stuff!!

1.5wks left of work I just can't believe how quickly its all come around, people always say how slowly pregnancy goes . . .well NOT FOR ME

Alright off to do some work

Love to All

Cara :-))

Putting the Nursery Together

2009-05-05T10:50:00.003+08:00

Heya All,

Saturday morning I was up just before 4am becuase Mum and Dad were moving out to their new place . . .they had to be on the road by 4.30am.

After they left I got to work on putting JB's room together . . .first I had to dismantle and move the queen size bed out then get to work putting together the IKEA furniture and putting everything I have accumulated in the past few mths into the cupboard and get everything set :-)

So I took a few pics . . . .not sure my neighbours appreciated the banging of a hammer at 5am in the morning!!!

I have still got to get a rug off lay-by for this room too . . .and Auntie TP is doing a big painting for one of the walls too :-)

Love Cara

Baby Shower Pics

2009-05-05T10:11:00.003+08:00

Heya ALL,

Left: Nyah doing her foot print
Under: Me with lots of the Aunties
Left Under: My Handprint pic
Under Under: Me unwrapping gifts
Bottom: My Art Director

Yep it was Baby Shower time already on the weekend, I am now 32weeks and a bit along WOW!!

The shower was lots of fun . . .I made people endure a few games but nothing too silly or girly or gross for that matter . . . lots of people there including myself had never been to a baby shower before so there was no real assumption made as to what it would be like :-))

I had bought a big blank canvas and paints for people to put a handprint on, I am going to hang this in the Nursery . . .as a reminder of the day and also the amazing supportive people I have around me.

We had lots of food and I think most people mingled together . . .though I did force them to at one stage for a group game I had set up :-))

Prizes were boxes of choc and wine . . .

About 17 people came along to join in the fun!!

I recieved some amazing books as my shower was a baby book shower and I asked people to bring a gift of a book to start of JB's book collection . . . .wow I got such a huge range and some really nice books :-))

Thank you to all who came

Love Cara xo

Exactly THREE (3) Mths till JB Expected Due Date!!

2009-03-26T10:53:00.000+09:00

Heya All,

Just a quick note that in 3 mths JB is due . . . WOW hard to believe.
Baby shower planning is underway and the invites should be going out soon . . the save the date cards went out about 1mth ago just so I could get people to at least be available on that date!!

Some people on my June 2009 Birth Club forum board are already having their babies . . . that’s a bit scary that we are already coming up to that.

I have a busy weekend coming up with a few social gatherings . . .which of course means I have to go and get at least a few new tops so that I don’t look TOO bad

My Ma and Pa are coming to stay with me for a mth while they wait for settlement on their new house which means I am having to get the stuff out of the room which would have been the nursery cause it will now be their room :-) I don’t mind at all as I didn’t have anything really set up it was more just a storage room for everything JB . .
It will be nice to get to spend some time with them and get to do somethings like going to the movies and shopping and just general things that I don’t get to do too often with them as they live 3hrs away and in a country town.

Last night was the last session of a parenting course that I had been doing with JL through a church. We really enjoyed it though it did run a little late into the evening for our liking especially as JL has another 40min drive after we get home to my house! The course though made us think about how we want to raise OUR children and what’s important for us to teach them ect . .

I have got another parenting course (more alternative and different from the church one) that I want to do run by a friend of a friend but that one isn’t running again till later in the year . . .in the mean time my birthing classes start later next mth so that will keep me busy.

Choir tonight but first will be a quick run by the shops to see if I can find a new top or two . . .fingers crossed for me!!

Love Cara

26 Weeks today

2009-03-20T10:02:00.002+09:00

JB is jumping around lots and I am now starting to show and feel prengnant . .

25 . . . nearly 26weeks tomorrow!!

2009-03-19T09:56:00.000+09:00

I can’t believe how quickly my pregnancy seems to be flying by . . I know I know it’s the end that goes slow but I can remember telling TP I was pregnant way back at like 7 weeks along.

I had my second appointment at the Hospital Clinic on the Monday just past and it went well. The Dr was friendlier this time and I didn’t have to wait to see a midwife or student Dr’s this time . . which meant I had time to grab some morning tea with a friend before going to work :-))

My IRON is low which I was expecting to happen seeing as my body seems to not be able to retain iron at all . . . at this stage they are not doing anything about it as I am unable to take any form of Iron supliments orally, so I guess I will have to see if they can do Iron infusions in the last trimester of pregnancy.

YES that’s right I am only a few weeks away from being the 3rd and last trimester Woohooo!!!

My tummy is getting bigger and yes I know I know I should post a belly pic but to be honest I haven’t really taken any and its only been in the past week or so that there is really something showing . . . .maybe in the next few weeks, but sorry no promises.

Life has been pretty busy with work, a parenting course Wed nights and Choir Thursday nights . . . and various social things on the weekends. I do however of course take time out to just chill at home on my own and catch up on my many numerous shows :-))

Tomorrow afternoon with the help of GC I am going to pick up my first lay-by which is a stroller, a car seat, a high chair, and a few other little things . . . I am not sure I can fit is all in my car cause the boxes are pretty big which is why GC is coming along in her car to help me out. TP has volunteered to put things together cause manual labour and putting things together is NOT a strong point of mine THOUGH having said that I CAN do it if I need too . . .

I have to say just how LUCKY I am to be surrounded by such supportive people my family and friends are just being amazing and I know that JB is going to be surrounded by an amazing group of supportive encouraging people!!

THANK YOU TO ALL

Love Cara :-)

Some Random Pics and news catch up

2009-02-12T08:15:00.006+09:00

Heya All,

Well I finally have an apointment to go to the hospital to start my antenatal care . . .rather then just going to the general dr . . . I am VERY excited :-)

I now have things lay-by'd at Target and Kmart and have recieved other things from Auntie JL and some toys from Auntie CS . . .Thank you ladies!

I woke up Monday morning to some very strong Kicks from JB that I could feel from the outside too YAY I have found out that because of where my placenta is placed I won't feel as many kicks . . thats okay though just once a day I will be happy with so I know everything is going okay :-))

Love to all

Cara

19 weeks and 5 days

2009-02-04T14:54:00.002+09:00

Heya All,

Have decided that I should change my blog to be blue to fit with the boy theme :-)
Titles will be how far along I am . . .unless there is something more exciting to put!!

Went to the Dr yesterday to get my scan results and it all looks good . . the placenta is at the front and to the left which means when I feel JB move it will be more to the right . . .
I got the referral sent through to the hospital so I can start going there for my care and of course for the delivery . . .

Have started thinking of themes for the nursery and am going to have animals cause its something interesting and not too boy . . .like cars or trucks ect!

Am reading a good book on sleeping and eating routines from newborns through to 2years I think it is . . .so i am going to read it through once then go back through and highlight and mark pages that I will need. . .

There is soo much to do and remember and to buy ect, I need to get some more lists started I think so that I don't forget anything!!

Love Cara

A new Chapter of Life

2009-02-03T09:50:00.004+09:00

1st Pic: 12 Week Scan

2nd Pic: JB's First outfit bought by Auntie Tenille

I am 19weeks and 4days pregnant!!

I've decided its time to start recording and keeping a diary of sorts for this big adventure :-)

Its amazing to think this time last year I was getting ready for a trip but now . . .getting ready for a baby BOY.

This afternoon I am heading to the Dr for the results of my latest scan and to get the referral to start going to the maternity hospital. . .

JB is what I have been calling my little JellyBean has been pretty good to me so far :-)

Duet Clip Two

2008-12-03T06:44:00.002+09:00

Duet clip One

2008-12-02T09:25:00.004+09:00

Just me on my own . . I am going to try again to load the clip of the both of us singing . . .

Choir Concert Pics

2008-12-01T10:05:00.006+09:00

The Concert went really well . . .we sang like stars and looked even better!

I was trying to upload some clips but might try on next post . . .

Random Video of Choir Sound Check

2008-11-04T08:30:00.005+09:00

Don't we just sound great :-))

This was just a fooling around sound check as no one else showed up!

Superman Ride

2008-09-17T07:50:00.002+08:00

Pic 1: The batman tower they shoot you up at a high speed

Pic 2: Our best ride of the whole week, the Superman rollar coaster

Pic 3: Just showing you the huge drop that you do!

Pic 4: Speed slide at wet'n'wild, the middle one T is on and the one on the right D is on

A couple more Vid's

2008-09-16T08:31:00.000+08:00

Outback closer to the start

Start of the Batman Show

More pic's 2

2008-09-16T08:16:00.000+08:00

Pic 1: Waiting at the bus stop near T&L's

Pic 2: On the log ride at MovieWorld going up for thebig drop

Pic 3: The other 3 at the end of the speadslide at Whitewater

Pic 4: A & D checking out where to go at DreamWorld

Pic 5: An awesome waterslide which is completely dark at Wet n Wild!

Random Holiday snaps

2008-09-16T08:04:00.000+08:00

Pic 1: You can't stop them shopping even when its closed they have to look!

Pic 2: One of my fav rides at Dreamworld

Pic 3: Me coming down the kiddies slide at Whitewater park

Pic 4: A Tigar at dreamworld

Pic 5: The sealion show at Seaworld

More Pics Outback Show

2008-09-16T07:49:00.000+08:00

Here you go Mum I knew you would be waiting for these!

Pic's of all of us with Characters at MovieWorld

2008-09-16T07:31:00.000+08:00

Dora is mainly for Anelys's girls

3 worlds done!!

2008-09-09T15:31:00.000+08:00

Heya All,

I am typing a very very quick update as I am waiting for the shuttle to come and pick me up and take me to the outback spectacular!!!! I am soooo excited and ready for a night of yelling, horses and good aussie food :P

Yesterday was dreamworld which was quite busy and lots and lots of lining up but we did manage to get on quiet a few of the scary good rides and had lots and lots of fun . . Amanda was a great addition to our little group as T and I had someone to drag with us on all the scary rides though DH did manage to go on a few as well we were VERY proud of her!!!
The log ride was good though we got drenched and as we had heavy clothes on we got a little chilly . . .we soon forgot about that though as we went on the Rollar coaster which you sit up right in little motorcycle type things . . (will post pics later)

Today was a day of lots of cute animals including dolphins, sea lions, polar bears, sharks, penguins ect . . . also of course a rollar coaster which we did 3 times . . . a log ride and a very cool ride called Bemunda triangle which was on water in a little raft thing and you went through like a little world then down a big rapid to finish it off SO much fun!!!

Now I have raced home to get ready for the outback show . . . . must fly as I need to get money out to buy some merchandise :P

Love to All

Cara xoxoxo

PS, THanks Anelys for all your comments xoxo

Sunday Day 1 of Theme parks

2008-09-08T05:40:00.000+08:00

Pic 1 Amanda and I Pic 2 The theme park gang

Hi All,

After a lovely long sleep it was time to wake up with lots of excitment as it was DAY ONE of the theme parks and for those of you with itineries you know it was Whitewater world . . . .

We got on our shuttle which did drop off's at the other parks just to tease us then we got there . . . of course a wait in a line to get in . . . .work out how to use the lockers and we were ready in our bathers, me with camera in hand and YES covered in sunscreen and me with a hat as I wasn't getting on any of the slides . . . .

WOw it is just awesome though to get to run around like a child all day, walk around in your swimmers ect . . . for the morning I just followed around as the pack horse while they ran up stairs to the next scary looking slide hehehe Lunch was actually not too bad a grilled chicken burger . . .

After lunch I convinced TF to come up onto the kids area with me where I managed to go down some of the supposedly slow slides (my bottom they were slow) but I DID IT!!!! Then that was that I was off on the Green room which is the scariest slide there where you go down a big drop in a raft and it eventually spits you out hehe BY far the most popular ride with the 4 of us was the Hydrocoaster which was like a roallar coaster but with water VERY FUN. . . I did make TF go with me on the kids slides a lot more through out the afternoon, as well as play in the wave pool for awhile which was lots of fun too!

Caught the local bus back which got us back quicker and showered got dressed and off into the main street for dinner and some bowling WHERE i DIDN'T come last woohoo!!!

Now I have to run and get some breakfast before going out to Dreamworld . . .Amanda is meeting us out there today too as she has the day off and can't resist a ride or two :-)

Love to All

Cara :-)

Saturday Afternoon

2008-09-08T05:36:00.000+08:00

GOLD COAST HERE WE ARE!!

Had a nice drive down with Amanda, got here and we were able to check in early Wow the room is very very nice :-))

Went for some long awaited breakfast at about 11am then went for a bit of a walk (5km) to Pacific Fair which is the big shopping center here . . . .got a few pairs of shorts cheap in Kmart and Target before heading back to meet up with Tenille and Lorraine as they had arrived!!!!!!

We were all stuffed which stopped my plan of partying hard and the most we managed was a meal at hte hard rock cafe before heading home to our beds . . . . yep a bunch of nanna's on a vacation together, I know what you are thinking :P

Saturday Morning in Brisbane

2008-09-06T06:22:00.000+08:00

Heya All,

After a very rushed, unorganised morning MOST UNLIKE ME, I did manage with the help of Tracy to make it to the airport in time to catch my plane heheh with time to eat something before hand as well!!

The flight was very easy and uneventful, I paid to get the tv for the flight which saved me reading all of my new novel straight away . . . . . . instead I got to laugh along to the Nanny and some Gilmore girls :-))

Stood in a very long taxi cue to get to the Motel, brushed teeth, wash face and back out the door to head into the city . . .caught the city shuttle which are ferry's, So Dad I knew you would be envious :P

Had a bite to eat and a few rums and lemonade, walked through the casino which is in the most awesome building its sooooo cool!!

Sleep wasn't so good, it was pretty hot in the room and people started getting up about 5am in other rooms . . .then the clock alarm went off at 6am hehe

Sorry for the short hand I am typing this very quickly as I wait for Amanda to arrive so we can head on down to the Gold Coast . . .

The weather is warm and of course humid but very pleasant!!

Alright time to fly and get out of this very HOT room they have their computer in here . . . No pics yet to show as I forgot the camera in the room last night in the race to get out before it got too late :-(

Love to All

Cara xoxox

One more sleep

2008-09-04T12:19:00.001+08:00

Heya All (okay so maybe just one),

So One more sleep until I am flying up and away, kind of glad its a small flight this time even though yes I love airport and planes . . .it is an all too close memory of my 24 hour flights!!

Still have soooo much to do to get organised but I will be out of work at 3.30pm on the dot today and racing home to get things organised . .

Off to have a manicure tomorrow morning before I go away, a lovely present from TF for my bday just passed :-)

I shall try to post tomorrow before I get on the plane . . .

Love Cara

2008-09-03T11:09:00.000+08:00

A Family pic from my bday dinner a few weeks ago :-)

Thank goodness not too long to go until I head off on holiday . . .a short day at work today as we have a lunch and then I am off to get some Iron!!

Still lots to organise and do before I jet off . . but thats tomorrow after work job before I go to choir and will continue after choir I think . . .

September Spring Break

2008-09-02T14:00:00.000+08:00

My next trip leaving this Friday!!

3 more sleeps and lots of packing and organising to go :-)

Crash back to reality

2008-04-16T20:08:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

Today as the title says was my crash back to reality!! Back at work.

Thank you to everyone that read my little blog, and those that worked out how to leave comments and did so thank you very much . . .i think i will have to be giving some comment leaving lessons before my next trip to Beijing!

So back to reality for a little while

Love to all and Take care

Cara

Last night and Day in NY

2008-04-11T04:03:00.000+08:00

Hi All

Well I can't believe it is the last day, it has gone quickly but not that quickly that i feel it has flown by!

I have got to see and meet many people and have some great times . . . and things i can look back on and laugh as well :-)

Last night I went out for a few drinks to a place that I went to before in Brooklyn, it was a bit quieter this time being a weeknight so i didn't really talk to anyone but that kind of suited me as well. I got home about 12ish then stayed up for awhile on the phone and email . . .my aim was to not get much sleep so that I will be tired for the plane.

I got up this morning and organised the shuttle to the airport, checked for an email from the travel agent confirming my flight into Perth, and emailed Will to say i will be seeing him soon (he's in KL).

Then i walked to the Mesuem of Natural History and met a friend of Anelys, named Luz who is in town at the momment as well, we all met on the same forum board. A great time was had, we walked around, saw the space show thing . . .look lots of pics and had a very nice lunch in their foodhall, INFACT i ate veg and salad stuff oh my goodness my body is going to go into shock i think hehehe

I just got back from there, I walked home in the sunshine it is a nice day today and ate an icypole very nice.

I am nearly all packed up, just the things that i need to shower and put on ect . .

THe box is packed with Fragile and arrows scribbled all over it hehe

Not sure if i am looking forward to the long flight . . .however I am pretty tired, also i have two books and my nintendo ds is charged and ready as is my mp3 plus you do have the screens on the backs of the chairs.

Love to All and will see most of you soon.
Cara

2nd Day in Amish Country

2008-04-09T21:53:00.000+08:00

Hi All

Just think soon you won't be having to read this anymore, then what will you be doing everyday!! :-P

I had a late start to my day as I got stuck into a book that I couldn't put down and didn't turn out the lights until 2am woops but hey I am on holidays!

After having some yummy french toast for breakfast and doing a few things online, i hit the road and just drove with no purpose or direction, it was fun. I ended up in Delaware which is aother state (I think) hehe
Drove back to my hotel via . . . WALLMART a huge one with food shopping as well as clothes and EVERYTHING. . . .now I know some of you will be rolling your eyes, but I was very mindful that I didn't have any more space for things so i only got a few little things that i wanted, including a bargin buy sweater which cost me $5 I have it on now :-)

I also bought a box to put the stuff that I was going to send home, however now I think I am just going to check it on my flight and pay the excess cause its actually cheaper i discovered.

Came back to the hotel to freshen up then went out for dinner to a place called Good and Plenty, it is oldstyle family dining where we all sit in long tables and they bring out food that we all share and just pass up and down the table YUM. There was crispy fried chicken, slices of fresh ham, fish, chicken pot pie (like a chicken noodle dish), mash potatoes, corn. . . . .I think i am forgetting some stuff. Then desert, jelly with peaches, a disgusting looking peanut butter pudding, shoefly pie, blueberry pie, and home made icecream . . .
NO one on our table could move and they were constantly asking if you wanted more and more aaahhh hehehe

I somehow got myself behind the wheel and came back to my room to relax and read the next book in the series :-)

Got up this morning about 8.30, had some breakfast and am waiting for some laudry to dry in the drier before i pack up my room and head on back to NY via a target that I spotted not far away.

So not long now and I head on home. . . .WOW it has kind of gone quickly and kind of not.

Love to All
Cara

PS. There are lots of pics of course, i will try and post some in NY.

Amish People

2008-04-08T05:26:00.000+08:00

Hi there All

I have to be quick, I am using a computer in the General Managers office of the hotel I am staying in here at Lancaster Country.

SO since I last wrote. . . . .

Cuba I didn't do much else at all, I just did a bit of walking around but not much, i was tired and hungry but no food to eat argghhhh

Sunday (yesterday for me) I got up very early at 5.10am ready for my shuttle to the airport which didn't turn up ggggrrrrrr so I grabbed a cab cause there was NO WAY i wanted to miss the flight!!!!
The flight and airport was all okay, you can still smoke everywhere in the airport over there which was a tad annoying however all was good even if we were half an hour late to leave for NO reason hehe

Got into DR and Anelys, Ernesto and the girls were waiting for me, they spent about an hour with me in between flights, luckily this time the line for meto check into my next flight wasn't long at all and i managed to avoid paying entry and departure fees too woohooo

A sad but quick good bye and I ran for my plane, okay so I left it a little late but i was not the last to board hehehe

Arrived in JFK about 7pm I think it was, cleared immigration and customs no problem, got to the other side of the airport and picked up my PT cruiser rental car that was a shock to see what car it was!!

Drove for 3.5hours or actually a little more . . . . wow it cost a lot to drive on the roads here, i think by the time I got here i had payed close to $15 for toles just to drive on some hwy's. I got into Lancaster and my GPS got a little confused, i finally gave up on it and just found myself a holiday inn, by then it was 12.30am and i was stuffed. . .

I would like to announce that I slept in a double bed last night this is the first time since I left home that I have slept in anything larger then a single!!!!!!!!

Switched on my mobile which felt oh so good, just as good as the bed . . . . okay well maybe.

Woke up this morning at 8.27am, had a nice egg and bacon breakfast here at the hotel before deciding to stay here for tonight as well.
I hit the streets of Lancaster Country and beyond in search of Amish, quilts, gifts ect . .

Today has been a lovely day all in all, I have bought lots of things, gone on a bugger ride, descovered lots about the amish comunity, though I would love to learn heaps more. Just had a late lunch early breakfast of Fried crispy chicken mashed potatoe, veg and followed by a local pie here called Shoefly pie YUM!

Not sure what I am going to get up to now, i might ask in reception what is around for things to do at night, though being a Monday ngith I am thinking not too much is on . . .

I did see a ghost tour in my guide book hehehe

Tomorrow I have got to get to the post office while I have a car and send myself a parcel home, especially after today. . . then I am not really sure where I am going to head to. . . I have the car till Wednesday when I head back to NY, seeing as I am leaving Thursday night.

Okay better get off this computer so the lovely kind man can have his office back. :-)

Love to All
Cara

PS. Thanks for all your kind thoughts, sms's, emails when I was sick and your continued reading of my holiday rants and thoughts.

Thursday, Friday in Cuba

2008-04-05T21:03:00.000+08:00

Hey All

WEll nothing too exciting to report this time, I am feeling better but still a bit drained and I guess it makes it harder when there isn't really anything that I can eat here.

Nope DV there is no fast food here!!

Thursday I did manage to get to a good cigar factory, and also I think like the main shopping strip here, but really didn't find much to buy. . . .

Yesterday wasn't much of anything a bit of a walk around, but the weather has actually been a bit rainy and lightning, thunder ect. . .

So all in all pretty quiet and nothing to write about, today I might try and lay by the pool a bit and I have to work on re-packing my suitcases. . . .as my pick-up is at 5.55am tomorrow morning. I think that getting through the airport lines here might take awhile, then i get to claim my luggage ect in DR and go through more lines to get on my other flight back to the US.

I have been doing some research into my car trip, and I think Sunday night after I arrive and pick up my car I will head for Lancaster Country in Pennsylvania. . .and take it from there.

So I should have mobile coverage again by Monday morning for most of you there in Oz YAY hehe

HOpe a good weekend is being had by all.

Love to All
Cara

Cuba so far

2008-04-03T21:25:00.000+08:00

Hi All

So far feeling a bit better today . . .fingers crossed that it stays that way.

Okay so I owe you all some stories of my time here so far.

This is going to be pretty long so settle in and get comfy.

I arrived on Sunday late afternoon . . the flight was okay, the line though at the airport in Santo Domingo was huge so it was a quick goodbye to Anelys, Ernesto and the girls. . .which was probably a good thing!

I sat next to a guy from Cuba on the flight so he gave me some pointers on what to see and do here. . . .

Found the transfer very easy at the airport to my hotel, the hotel is ummmm not fantastic, the room i have is on teh street side which make it very noisy . . the staff are not to helpful either.

So on that first night, I was standing near a pay phone and asked a girl where she got her phone card from . . her name was Paulo and she was from Brazil and also traveling on her own, we decided to meet up in half an hour and hit a club that she had heard about.
The club was exactly what you see on movies with Latino clubs the music live and awesome and the dancing out of this world . . .needless to say we didn't try and dance hehe

I had mentioned that I was going to try and get to Venales and a beach near there and was going to hire a car, Paulo was up for that thank goodness as she speaks portgegues, spanish and english . . how I ever thought I would get around here with out spanish is beyond me!

So we set of Monday morning after i hired a car, having to pay more as i needed an auto. . . . now in my lonely planet guide it does say, the roads are terrible and the signage non existant . . well they weren't joking about that!!
We set off with some fairly extensive instructions from someone, which went out the window after the first few corners . . after driving for a few hours again with no signs and going through numerous towns with terrible roads, we could have done with a 4wd!!
Somehow instead of ending up going to the left of Havanna we ended up below Havanna hehehe we had stoped and asked numerous people for directions including picking up a few female hitchhikers we still weren't going the right way. . .
Hitchhiking is a way of getting around here, the streets are lined with people needing lifts . . .

We did manage to get to the autopistol (highway) and finally at 5ish getting to Vennales . . it took us 6 hours instead of 2.5hours!!
We stoped at the info centre and met a french couple who wanted to do the same things we were going to do . . .after organising a afternoon tour for the following day a man at the info centre found us a casa which is a house for us to rent a room, it is very popular here to stay in them instead of hotels. . . the room was fine and bathroom clean plus it was only $25 for the both of us for the night so we took it.

Then after dumping our bags we headed out to some caves which was really nice and teh mountains i can't describe, i just hope the pictures do it some justice. We had a local drink at a bar in a cave then went for some dinner the 4 of us. . . .

The following morning I was awake really early as nearly everyone in the neighbourhood we were staying had bunches of CHICKENS and ROOSTERS they started about 3am I think!!
WE met up with Pierre and Azaza and went off to an amazing beach the name I can't remember at this stage, it was 1.5hours away and amazingly signposted. . . . we were the first ones there, got eaten alive by swarms of mozzies. . .
Did a 2 hour boat tour, which saw us stoping a few times to snorkle and see some lovely fish and coral. We went to a little island and the water was so clear and blue and white sands. . .

From there we had to get back to Venales for our tour. . . ummm we got a bit lost and got there 1 hour late ooppps!
This tour was off another huge cave with a swimming area inside, i declined the offer to swim, getting into dark water in a cave is just NOT my thing!! We had a bit of a hike to get to the cave and back on a tobacco farm, I had to cross planks of wood to get accross water. . . so I was way out of my comfort zone!!

After that part we went to see a Mural before we did a tour of a tobacco drying area and the home of a worker.
They wanted to charge us money to get in and see the Mural which we decided we weren't going to pay, so i backed up and then reversed to get around . . .ummmm well the back of the car made a sudden drop . . .quick thinking by Pierre saw all off them getting out except me who was driving. . .the tires were just spinning, well the front ones that were on ground . . .luckily a van load of Cuban men came past and they all got out, made Pierre get in the drivers side and they lifted and pushed the back end and we got out!!!!

There are pictures of this which I think I am getting sent from Paulo gee thanks!! hehehe
The tour of the drying and cutting of Tobacco was interesting, I wasn't overly comfortable with going in to someones house and just sitting there, they did sell some natural cigars to a couple of people.

Finally it was the end of a very long but fun day. . .Paulo and I still had to get to Havana though and now it was getting dark . . .I am proud to say we found the Autopistol and got very close to Havana when the highway just suddenly came to a stop and I was driving into grass and small shrubs . . .as I was doing about 100km it took awhile to stop but no damage was done . . . .
We did eventually find our way back to the hotel via the bank as we had no money between us . . .this is a country run pretty much on Cash alone!!

This is when we ate the pizza which made me sick . . .

Yesterday morning I woke up and didn't feel good at all, however I had to return the car and meet up with Paulo to say bye cause she was moving on to Verado. . . .I got to the car park paid for my car to get out, got to the door of the car then started being sick eeeewwwwwww one of the man came out after awhile and saw the state I was in, I was ushered into their office where i had 4 guys trying to ask if i was okay, did I need a hospital, one of them faning me, one of them gave me his hanky . . it was very sweet. I managed to get up and return my car, said a quick bye to Paulo and went back to my room which is where I stayed till I came out to email.

Okay I think that has covered it all . . .there might be small things I am missing . . .

Today I am going to try and get to a cigar factory, and maybe see some artwork. . . .still feeling a bit weak/tired so it won't be a huge day maybe some laying by the pool as well.

Love to All
Cara

Alive and Kicking in Cuba

2008-04-03T04:23:00.000+08:00

HI All

FINALLY

Sorry I know that I haven't written for ages, it is very hard to get internet and phones here . . plus staff in the hotel aren't overly forthcoming with imformation.

This is just a blog to say I am alive . . i have had heaps of adventures to write about, some funny and some I will get lots of hassel about hehehe

Today however I am sick . . I think it was a pizza that I ate very late last night when I got back from the country . . .I have been throwing up all day . .am finally trying to slowly sip some water, and I had to get out of bed my back was aching . .

PLEASE don't worry though I am sure that it will pass, I got some lemonade with my water just before and will try and sip some of that tonight as well.

Thank you for all the emails and comments, being sick it has really made my day to come to the computer and find them.

I will hopefully feel a bit better tomorrow and be able to write some of my adventures out . . . some thoughts to ponder though, the roads are really bad . . pot holes, ditches . . signage is nearly non existant . . .

I have seen some amazing beaches and marine life, met a lovely brazilian, and french couple . . and walked through a few caves.

Love to All

Cara

PS. ClayMel I nearly lost my water bottle, its what I had to get up out of my sick bed for as I left it in my rental car . . It was found though YAY.

PPS. DV my bathroom bag is excellent

PPPS. JM my clock is still coming in so handy

PPPPS, Thanks for the pics Mum

xoxoxoxo

Alive and Kicking in Cuba

2008-04-03T04:21:00.000+08:00

The Party - Cooking and Pizza

2008-03-30T20:32:00.000+08:00

Happy Sunday People!

So Yes it is the day after the party and we are all still alive to tell the tale hehe

The morning was a mad rush of preparations, poor Ernesto was taxi driver first taking myself and Amelia to the grochery shop so I could get all the food that I needed to prepare . . then after droping us back he picked up Anelys and the two other girls and took them to get all the other stuff like balloon, paints ect . . .

While Amelia slept I cooked, cupcakes, cheerio slice, meat balls, mini pizza's, mini hotdogs . . . hmmm I am probably forgetting something. I was very busy in the kitchen . . .we had a water problem yesterday too, we had to get the tank pumped out then new water put in, then right when I needed to have a shower the power went out which happens on a daily basis you just never know for how long but of course that meant the pump wouldn't work to pump the water for my shower.

HOWEVER I eventually got ready and a good time was had by all, the food was complimented . . oh thats right I made them fairy bread which no one had heard off, thanks JM for the party food advice hehe

Of course lots of pictures were taken by myself and then by a professional . .

After the last child left we collapsed though not for long as Anelys Mum took us out for some Pizza cause yesterday was actually Ernesto's bday.

As I sit here, we are all getting ready to head off to get me some stuff then to the airport . . next stop CUBA.

I am not sure what the computer situation will be there so we'll see when my next chapter of Gone with the Wind, gee thanks Dad is ready.

Love to All

Cara

Pics Continued from DR

2008-03-29T02:32:00.000+09:00

Pic's Pic's and more Pic's you asked for them

2008-03-29T02:21:00.000+09:00

Afternoon All,

Well the tour didn't end up working out, so I am just chillen in the house today while everyone is out . . I worked out the washing machine . . and have just been on the computer, sorting photo's, emailing, catching up on home and away hehehe

I thought I would post a few pics .

Fun in the Sun .. a little red :-)

2008-03-28T09:54:00.000+09:00

Good Evening All,

A lovely day was had by all, adults and children alike.

We eventually found the place that we were wanting to go to, Aneyls called up a bunch of them this morning as the prices differ from place to place . . .there are heaps of them . . I have come to the conclusion that this country runs on Schools and Resorts alone I think.

We started off by having some fun in the sand and beach . . two out of the 3 girls hadn't been to the beach before so it was very cute . . Mia loved it after she got used to it, and we even gave Amelia a quick dip as she was covered in sand already hehe

Had something to eat, I actually managed to have something besides fast food . . . I had some rice, some fish and a few veg that I picked out from another dish.

After waiting for our food to go down (yes Mum) we hit the pool, played some pool volleyball of sorts . . .and took all the girls in again :-)

We had to get out by 5pm cause thats when the day passes finished, now we are just chilling out at home as it is a big day in the house hold here tomorrow with both parents going to work and all the children off to various schools . . yep school starts really really early here.

Not sure yet my plans for tomorrow, I might be going for a tour for half the day of the city with a guide but they are going to call Anelys tomorrow morning if they can fit me in. Just as I type this the pharmacy is dropping off some stuff Anelys ordered over the phone . . early we had some water delivered . . . that kind of thing I could get used to . . the driving and the roads uuuuhhhhh maybe NOT. :-)

Friday mid morning for you Aussies, so not long till weekend time.

Love to All
Cara

A post for Alison

2008-03-27T22:11:00.000+09:00

Hi Al & All

Just to let you know . . . we are getting ready to spend the day at a resort, where you can use the beach and the pool, all sports stuff, food and drink for a pretty low Ozzy price for the day . . I think like $28Aus pr adult.

I thought about you and put sunscreen on straight away before I even got my bathers on, your voice was in my head!!

So as you all sleep I should be relaxing by some water.

Will write more tonight

xo

On the road. . . . and a few ditches!

2008-03-27T20:38:00.000+09:00

Hi All

So I know your all waiting with held breath to find out if I am alive and okay . . . YEP I managed to do it and actually I am quiet proud of myself . . some people probabely wore out their horns on me but oh well thats there problem!
With only one wrong turn, which was easy to undo . . . and going through a few pothole/ditches too quickly . . . we managed to get to every place alive and in one pc . . . got some petrol too, and someone pumps it for you and takes the money off you too, so no need to get out of your car!!

Yesterday we just pottered around and ran errands, one of which was getting my plane ticket from here to Cuba and back . . . so a big YAY on that one. I also got to see where Ernesto works and Gaby goes to school. . . . .

Funny points of the day were mainly seeing peoples stares and looks as Ernesto and I were walking through the shopping centre with the 3 girls whilst Anelys was having her hair cut hehehe they look at one of us then the other one then all 3 girls before walking away in wonder hehehe
We also got similar looks through out the day with just Anelys and I and the 2 girls . . you can see people trying to work out how we all fit together :-)

Had a nice relaxing evening at home after the 3 girls fell asleep in the car, us adults stayed up and played Monopoly . . .I WON!! We ate lots of corn chips and salsa plus biscuits . . and some choc of course :-)

I also had a bargin buy of the day, I went to get some snacks and thought I would get some Gin and Tonic . . . a good Gin that I get back in Oz which costs me around $60 . . cost me $14aus here wooohooo I think that I am going to be buying another bottle of that to come home. . . I did quickly email fellow Gin drinkers to rub it in oh sorry I mean let them know of my fortunate find. :-P

Love to All
Cara

On the air again (similar to on the road again) ARRIVED SAFE

2008-03-26T10:23:00.000+09:00

Hola (not sure if thats spelt right) (someone not mentioning names commented on my bad spelling)

I have arrived in the Dominican Republic!!

JFK was a mad house, I got there really early on my shuttle though after having to get up at 4.30am . . . . the plane ride was pretty good, Everyone had way to much carry on luggage which caused many fights and much fussing around . . . also the girl on the seat next to me was a bit horozontally challenged and took up some of my chair as well. . . which made for a rather squishy flight!
I got into Santo Domingo airport, and they wanted $10US for the tourist card however after explaining I had no cash and did they take visa . . i was told to move on to the passport area and they just stamped it and let me through . . so not sure what thats about but HEY i made it in hehehe

Anelys had been told that my flight was going to a be a further 10min so, we actually met outside and piled into the car with her husband and 3 girls plus of course my very overweight suitcase and the smaller one that I picked up yesterday. . . .as I checked in the girl warned me that it was very over weight but said she would let it through free of charge this time phew!!

This afternoon we hit the shops for some food, I am gaining a new respect for woman or even families that go shopping with multipul small children . . . I am enjoying it though, its been a long time since I was around children. Of course though the main difficulty is that I have no idea what Gaby the eldest or even Mia are saying hehehe Gaby has spoken some english to me as she speaks both . .but still of course its natural for her to speak spanish.
Ordering McDonalds was also an experience . . . . the girl tried to read the order back to me after Anyles had left and i had to call her back over hehehehe
I had to pack the grochery shopping myself as the boy who was supposed to do it was on break or something . . . . its been awhile since having to pack a weeks shopping myself.

I can't comment on the Country yet as I haven't seen enough or experianced enough yet so you will have to wait.

So I think thats it for today, my mobile/cell phone doesn't work over here so emails it will be . . .I will try and suss out a phone card tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will be attempting to drive . . . .now imagine malaysia traffic or something semi similar to Bali but of course driving on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road and that will be me . . . . . so fingers crossed for us all!!!

Its 9.48pm here and I need a shower and bed I think . . . deff a shower . . .I finished my book on the plane and don't have another one so i might read my Cuba guide and get prepared.

I am pleased to anounce that my luggage load has decreased as many parcels and things were only coming as far as here wooohooooo *my cupcake stand made it as well all in one pc*

Hoping work wasn't too hard for you guys after the Easter break.

Love to All
Cara

More pics NY

2008-03-25T09:54:00.000+09:00

1. M&M world

2. My lunch today Dad I knew you would want to see and be proud of me for having one from a street vendor

3. Tracy times square at night ( i have a vid i took too when i can format it right)

Last day in NY Monday

2008-03-25T09:28:00.000+09:00

Wow what a day again I fit a lot into it!

Started off with a walk across brooklyn bridge well that was after walking to brooklyn bridge from where i got off the subway, I then walked back along the Manhatten Bridge. Which got me to China Town . . . what better place to have a foot and back massage :-)
Managed I think to go through Soho and ummmm sorry its slipped my mind . . . . caught the subway to Madason Sq Gardens.

I got to a Museum . . . . OKAY well not one I should advertise but hey it was there and I didn't have enough time to get to any of the others . . . so the Museum of Sex it was hehehehe now it was actually quiet interesting which some odd but some very interesting displays.

From there it was time to start my list of shopping and things i had to get for the Party . . . a bit of a run around looking for a grochery store here . . finally got one, picked up my laundry then off to Queens near flushing for a cake store i had found online . . i was looking for something to put ontop of the cupcakes (didn't find what i wanted), picked up a little suitcase for my extra things hehehe

Now its time to organise my shuttle, and repack all my things . . .and early morning for me.

NOW - MY MOBILE WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK UNTIL I GET BACK INTO THE US which isn't until not next monday the FOLLOWING Monday i will check what date and let you know on tomorrow's blog . . . .if i am lucky enough Anelys will allow me to use her PC hehehe

So I bid you all a good night/day as I head off to pack aaahhhh

I have attached a few pics just to show you that I am here!!!

Love to All
Cara

Easter Sunday . . . Ahhhh too many people!!

2008-03-24T11:02:00.000+09:00

G'day

On my walk to the Subway to start my day today I noticed a thing that does time and temp and in degrees c, Just to let you all know it was a toasty 2 degree's with a max of 8 today!!! You could really feel it was a bit chilly . . . my hands were frozen even with my gloves on.

That said I had another fun, jam packed day today which involved a lot of people and lining up for things . . .which as most of you know is not my strong point hehehe

Okay I am trying to remember what I did actually see and do today . . . . hmmmmm oh thats right okay. . .
I caught the Staten Island Ferry and took many pics of the statue of Liberty, got back to the mainland and walked around Battery Park and saw more squirells i love them they are so cute.
From there I just followed the masses that seemed to be doing the same walk as me, next stop was wall street, Trinity Church . . . then the next part was a bit sadder, I went to the Twin tower site, I chose not to do a tour or anything like that I found it all a bit overwhelming. I then stoped in at St Pauls church which was the one around the corner from the site . . . . where people were leaving memmorial bits and it also had the volunteers station so food, cots, massages, counsellors ect . . inside now they have very moving pictures and things set up about it all, i did shed a tear or two and actually had to walk out with out seeing it all.
From there on to City Hall which was a bit of a disapointment as you can't get very close to it or anything, so I snaped some pics and moved on . . .Brooklyn bridge is right there with heaps of people walking over but I needed water and hadn't eaten yet.
Had lunch at Ruby Tuesday, then onto the lines and waiting of the Empire State building . . . I swear it is set up as some kind of test of patience as you go through one line . . . there is another around the corner, and it doesn't stop when you have gone up cause then there are lines to come down hehehe aaahhhhh I did enjoy the view though and took many pics which I might try uploading maybe tomorrow.

I finally made it to have a proper look at Times Square which was just a meca (maybe right word) of people, lights, cars and I enjoyed it ...the M&M store was my fav, 3 levels of m&m merchandise plus m&m's . . . HEY it is Easter Sunday!!!!
I got a ticket to Legally Blonde the Musical at a main Theatre on Broadway . . . I opted for that as I love the movie and thought it would be a bit of fun. . . . and it was I have just got home from seeing that :-)

Tomorrow is my last full day in NY, I have got some shopping to do to take to DR for the party . . . . . but I think I will walk the Brooklyn bridge and atleast try and get to ONE musium . . . .

I haven't got to do all the stuff that perhaps I would have liked to however I don't feel disapointed, i think i have jammed quiet a bit in . . . and next time I come back I will know my way around a bit more which will make it easier.

I will finish up now so that I can have a quick look at emails then shower and off to bed . . .my late night has caught up with me.

Love to All
Cara

Saturday - Nothing happened according to Plan

2008-03-23T22:17:00.000+09:00

However everything happened for a reason :-)

Hi There You'all (JM you pull it off better)

I starting off my day by finding a laundry service, and alterations place ( I figure my time is precious why waste it doing laundry) I then caught a bus in search of somewhere to buy a pair of black comfy joggers . . . . this bus I got on ended up in the centre of Harlem, i was hoping to just sit on it and ride it back the other way BUT nope I had to get off and wait for another bus the driver was very nice though and droped me at the stop and told me to stay there until the number 7 came.

That bus took me right into Union Square where the last stop was right outside a huge shoe store with lots of joggers woooohooooo. The bus also went through Times Square so I got to see that at a glimps but not up close. . . . .

I walked back from Union Square to my accomodation which must be considered far causae everyone looked at me like i was crazy. On the walk though I went past the Public Library and got in before the cue :-) i saw Carnegi hall, the Rockefella centre.

It was finally time to have something to eat for the day at 2.30pm!! I went to an irish pub/restuarant and got a burger and chatted to the lady next to me who was also dining on her own and she was very helpful in letting me know how to get to Brooklyn and staton island ferry, plus other things.

I went back to my room to freshen up and caught the subway to Brooklyn . . . . low and behold I had got the wrong one and was no where near the side that I needed, so I got off and caught the one back into town . . . which went to times square where you can catch a shuttle to Grand Central Station!!

So as you can see nothing went according to plan, but it all worked out for the best as I was able to see so many things that were on my list of to do's. . .

If you are wondering I did get the right subway out to Brooklyn and got to the pub that I was after . . . chatted to some very nice people and went to a club with them. . . . . then got the subway home at 1.30ish in the morning, managed to do it right and just wallked 3 blocks home. You wouldn't believe how many people there were getting on one of them that i had to wow (really i am just a country girl in the big city).

Today's "plans" are to watch the Easter Parade, then someone told me about a good church service in New Jersey so I might check that out . . . then touristy stuff all day today, I have done all the shopping i needed to do . . . *Mum I managed to find a big enough handbag at Gap*

THanks for all the comments and Easter msg's.

Love to you all
Cara

PS. I know many of you are concerned with my shopping however I am going to leave my winter stuff in a locker at JFK when i go to the warmer countries then I have a car for a few days, I will pay for excess bagage i kind of always figured that i would be coming home. xo

Good Friday Part 2

2008-03-22T22:15:00.000+09:00

Hey everyone!

This may not be as long as I thought it would cause they have the heat pumped up and I am dying in here!!!

I walked a zillion miles and more today . . . .had a great day though just wondering around, i bought some boot, some shoes, some jeans . . . and other little bits and pc's. Also managed to wonder around the columbia university grounds, lincoln square (opera, julliard ect)

Got a metro card and used the subway, train and some busses . . . . today (saturday) i am planning to use them a lot as my feet are KILLING me hehehe

I did manage at the end of my day to go to a Good Friday church service, though by then the jetlagg and lack of sleep had kicked in . . . so i think i snoozed a bit through it :-) oooopppppssss

The plan for today is to get to times square, after finding a laundry service and buying a bigger handbag . . . .

hmmmmm I am sure that i am missing heaps of things that i did yesterday but it was a good day, I haven't really talked to anyone much which is a bit strange for me, i mean of course i chat to the random people in shops and things. Thats a point there are so many people working in the shops and resturants . . .when i went into a shoe shop i asked for a man for a size to try on and he looked at a LIST of shop assistance to see which one was up next to help me!!

I hope you are all having a good easter break.

Love Cara

New York New York Good Friday

2008-03-21T20:03:00.000+09:00

I AM HERE!

After a very long long long long flight I arrived in New York!!!

As I type this I am feeling tired after getting just 4.5hrs sleep last night, however I am going to maybe hit the pool and swim some laps which should wake me up a bit. I guess thats one of the perks at staying at a YMCA, there is a gym and pool that we can use.
My room is pretty basic and so small . . . after waking up freezing my little butt off I think i semi worked out how to switch on the radiator, however I will ask down at reception later how to work it properly . . . hey now before you go shaking your heads at me REMEMBER jetlag, lack of sleep and there's two things you can play around with to make it go and I am not sure what does what hehehe

So the plan for today I think is just to start exploring, I want to get some boots and a handbag . . . but other then that I am just going to see where the day takes me which is actually a really nice thought to be honest. I have picked up some brochures for a couple of card things which get you entry into things and I might go out and get one that way I think I can just hope on and off busses and into the things I want to see.

For those of you that know anything about NY I am staying in the Upper West Side so i descovered this morning . . . . in my guide book it lists a lot of things that I wanted to see such as Carnegi (spelling) hall, the museum of natural history, ummmm other stuff too.

After my swim though I think the first thing I need to do is EAT I am so hungry and no more airline food for atleast a week . . .okay 5 days. I won't be eating red meat though today as its Good Friday so . . . Pancakes for breakfast. YUM

Okay time to ring my Ma and Pa and let them know I am alive and kicking . . . . plus find out how Dad and Kurt are doing in the Tennis Tournament.

Might log on later to let you know how the day was :-)

Love Cara

New York New York

2008-03-21T20:02:00.001+09:00

Malaysia Airport - Waiting for flight to New York

2008-03-20T07:33:00.000+09:00

Good Morning everyone

I have arrived and checked in early for my flight, I figured it was more enjoyable to hang out at the airport with the shops and these random computers attached the the walls (I am standing up to type and the screen is at eye level)

My flight to KL was very good, despite forgetting to ask for an isle seat I managed by luck to not only have an isle seat but also one with the extra leg room!! I also lucked out on my travel companion for the trip, I sat next to some one who not only didn't snore or smell hehehe but also kept me entertained as we played the games on the screens against each other.

Low Fat meals are the way to go . . . . . hmmmm maybe except missing out on the choc or the butter for your roll, while everyone else was eating some interesting looking things I had fish with potatoe and squash yummy!!
Speaking of food I am eyeing up the burger king for some breakfast and I also need to get a bottle of water.

No Cell or Mobile coverage, so fingers crossed I do have some in NY!

ClayMel you will be entertained to discover that hot water was not a strong point at my hotel for the night :-)

JM thank you so much for my alarm, it is so handy and easy to use!

Now I think thats it for me . . . . . keep the comments up PLEASE so I know I am not writting to the little voices in my head :-P

Love Cara

D day

2008-03-19T08:36:00.000+09:00

The suitcase is packed at weighs 22kg's . . . I can see some of you shaking your heads, but it won't get any lighter. I have a cake stand and a few other things which will come out when I get to Dominican Republic!

Last night was a nice dinner at ClayMel's with Kurt and Ash as well. . . I am going to post a couple of pics from that so that I know i can post pics hehe

Okay i should get into the shower so i can start with my day of events before i go!!!!

Love Cara