Bath, thumbs down. Shower, thumbs up.

The picture below is of Kai having his first bath, as you can see...he hates it. I was told that the more I bath him the more he will enjoy it. I have bathed him every day since he was born and he seems to scream louder each time, we both dread bath time.

Yesterday while Evan was home, he decided to take Kai in for a shower. Well, did he love it. He loved it so much he fell sound asleep, even putting his head under the water did not wake him.

How funny

If we can't get Kai to sleep at night, we know what to do.

Kelly

Playtime Can Be Very Tiring.

Kai's First Christmas

Hi, I hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Kai enjoyed his first Chrissy, mostly eating and sleeping...isn't that what everyone does anyway. Well, Santa found his way to our home and filled Kai's sack full, not that he took any notice. He got a toy train with animals in the carriages, a jack in the box rabbit, books, soft cuddly toys and a musical cot soother from my mum which is great.

Kai was very considerate as he slept through lunch which allowed us to eat our meals at a slower pace and actually enjoy some quiet time with Evan's Mum, Andrea and Step dad, Scott.

This was my first Christmas without any of my side of the family which felt really strange, hope to catch us with everyone next Christmas. Missed you all! Below are some pictures of us and Kai in his cute Christmas Bib and Beenie (Thanks Alicia).

Kai is doing really well, he is waking up about 3 times during the night which makes for tired parents but we try and get sleep when we can. We are trying to get him to sooth himself in his cradle instead of falling asleep in our arms all the time as he knows when we are trying to put him down and starts to cry...little fox. We find that when we do, he has a much better and longer sleep. We have to be persistant but it's worth it.

Well, better go and get some sleep while Kai is still sleeping.

Love Kelly

When you go down to the coast today. You're in for a big surprise.

Hello

Last weekend we hauled ass to the Gold Coast and beyond for Kelly's sister's 21st Birthday Party. Kai did well for his first trip away from home and slept the first three hours of the journey. The little boy was passed around the family and the friends but Kelly still spent most of the night in someone else's bedroom feeding him (Thanks Kerry), and I was in there feeding Kelly. It was a lovely party, even when we had to take Kai for a walk in the pram, we could still hear the music two blocks away. We'll be coming back.

Anyway, we did this while Kai is asleep and we have a little bit of clarity. Here are some pics of the Dad and the night in question.

(Above - Is there a Father Goose?)

(Above - Kelly, Ray and Flo. Kai's Great Grandparents)

(Above - One tired, yet happy family)

Goodnight People,
Kelly and Evan.

Unhappy Camper

Well OK,

So we've started down that lovely road of letting Kai settle himself to sleep. We did keep thinking that he either needed a feed, a change of nappy or a hug when he was crying but we have come to the realisation that he is just plain tired and wants, nay demands to fall asleep while feeding.

There is nothing like a baby crying as loud as it can right next to you (especially while watching a movie, took us two hours to watch a half an hour) so I successfully convinced Kelly that maybe we should wheel him into his own room 'cause you can still hear him anyway'. Now when he goes quiet it's a big rush to see if he's okay and he is. Until fifteen minutes later when he notices he's still in his cradle. This carries on a few more times then he's out to it.

Kelly is feeling a lot better these days and she's getting out a lot more. Her confidence with Kai has improved so much and so has her breastfeeding. I gave her lots of advice and tips about that because I, apparently, had paid very close attention to those videos in the ante-natal class.

A pic or two for you and you:

(Above - Kai is Released from the Binds of Nappies.
Thwarted by Gravity.)

(Above - No, I am not trying to pick up, thank you very much.)

This weekend, we three will venture down to meet the alarmingly sized umm, HarrisLeeStewart Clan. Now I may finally now how it feels to play Rugby as I enter the Scrum and try to keep possession for as long as possible.
I'm putting twenty down on Great-Grandma Flo tackling me as I step in the door.

As always,
Evan.

He Who Must Be Fed Now

Hello again

The last week has been interesting to say the least. Kelly and I have been adjusting well to this new life of care and demand. I find it easier now to just stay awake until I pass out because if I do make plans for a nap, you can be sure Kai is not happy about it. Of course, this works well for me. Kelly on the other hand does not have the pleasure of passing out for a few minutes as it is her Kai usually wants.

It is really nice to be home for these first weeks and I am realising how much work this little boy will be. I know now that handling, changing and bathing Kai are things I seem to like and do okay. But when it comes to settling him, unless I start lactating soon, his cries fall on very open ears. If he does not get, um... attached in under two seconds things can get quite ugly, upset and irritated. It's something I feel very frustrated about.

Yes, I know I can't help not being a woman but it would be nice to take some of that strain off Kelly. Especially as I have to wake her up from precious sleep to feed Kai. This all gets easier I know but when you live in the present, it can seem so difficult.

Here are last weeks top pics:

(Above - Kai's first Chiropractic adjustment. Healthy Spines for Life!)


(Above - One smiling Grandma)


(Above - One smiling Nana)


(Above - One smiling Grandchild)

We have only had him home for over a week now, I think he is starting to grow on us.

Cheerio
Evan

And the Winner is...

Hello,
We want to introduce to you,

Kai Avery

Well, we have finally come home, actually we arrived back on Wednesday but it has taken me this long to get a post out. Everything is going well with Kai, apart from all the usual crying and grizzling, which I hear is normal. He is now feeding and sleeping really well through the night.

We, on the other hand, have become slightly hypochondriac, possessive, nervous wrecks. Although I know this will pass, I couldn't help but want to elbow the mid-wife out the way when he was crying after his birth. We are now getting some nice blocks of sleep and we're even eating well, thanks to Kelly's Mum, Gay. We'll be eating that Sheppard's Pie for weeks.

Here are some pics from over the last couple of days:

(Above - Kelly's so glad to be coming home)
OR (Above - Don't ask Kai for money, he's strapped)

(Above - Not too fond of the old H2O.)

(Above - Obligatory picture showing off clothes someone sent us, thanks Sis.)

We're having fun with Kai when he's upset, he loves to be walked constantly around the house while singing obscure songs or discussing which sandwich to take onto a desert island.

Dijon Roast Pork on Rye with Watercress.

Talk soon,
Evan.

IT'S A BOY

He arrived at 1712 on 19/11/07, weighing in at 8 pound, 9 ounces.
He is healthy, happy and he arrived naturally. Kelly did so well, as I am sure most of you know how things can change or progress quickly.
I thought it only far to change his first nappy.

Thank you all for your well wishes.

Dad

Onwards and Downwards...

Hi
Well, after last weekend, we have discovered that Kelly can survive at least a half hour trip in the car (That's how far away the nearest Maternity Ward is). The baby's car seat is even installed and ready help it get to sleep.
Kelly is finding it even more difficult now moving around and simple tasks, like grabbing a phone a meter away, have to be performed by me. In the next few days I fully expect to hear the words, "I'm sick of this, get it out of me", but not so harshly.
The good news is is that Kelly found out that the baby is two-fifths engaged, which is wierd because we thought we could feels the baby's head above Kelly's belly button. So either the big movement Kelly felt the night before her appointment was a change in position or we've been prodding it's bum.
Whatever, it's not long to go now, only about a week and a bit.

(Above: The lovely Gay, Kelly and, apparently, Jeff Sr. & Jeff Jr.)

Thank you for reading these posts, We appreciate it.
I hope that I am doing justice to what's going on around here and any humour that happens, is purely accidental.

Evan

I am the wardrobe.

Hay all

Now I know what you're thinking,
"Another post about the nursery, hasn't he finished that yet?"
Well, kind of, now we are waiting on someone professional to hang the main doors for us. We only just picked those up last weekend from Maroochydore along with some shiny brass knobs.
But I did complete the wardrobe which, I might add, looks rather spiffy.
Oh yes, and our cot arrived. Love those flat end peices, they're really good to lean against drowsily. I don't know whether you might have picked up on an overall theme here for the nursery furniture.



Well, have a nice weekend. We shall be down the coast for a spot of revelry.

Evan

A nest to call your own.

Hello all,
Another week or two has past and things are coming along swimmingly, projects have been completed and they seem to be still holding together quite nicely.
The nursery is quickly filling up with furniture, though to be honest, it has all been queuing up at the door, though to be honest, there is no door.
Kelly is surprised now at how hard she finds it to get around these days and is becoming a big fan of the afternoon nap.
The baby's movements are so soft and gentle that they haven't really caused Kelly much discomfort. Rather than kick, the bub seems to tickle and tap dance.
Since Kelly and the baby are into their thirty-seventh week, the big arrival could theoretically come at any time. Kelly has certainly packed her bags but I still can't decide what to wear. Don't hold your breath, both our mum's went over their due dates.

Here are some pictorial updates of the nest.

(Above) We're finally back in our bedroom, now we're waiting for our new neighbour.

(Above) Enjoying the peace of our nursery.

(Above) As soon as it arrived, Kelly needed to stock it. Any moment, remember.

(Above) I'm hooked on these hooks.

(Above) Where's Wally?

There he is.

All that is left to finish and move in, is the wardrobe. The cot as well, when it gets here. Oh, and get a door or two. Put up some shelves and maybe rewash and iron all the babies clothes and sheets, ONE MORE TIME.
Kelly would like to point out that she has a perfectly reasonable excuse for her OCD.

Baby needs flat sheets.

Thanks for tuning in to another episode of;
"Approximately Forty weeks of our lives"
Evan and Kelly

I paint, therefore I hurt.

'Allo 'Allo

Yes, the nursery is finished.
Okay so it's kinda done....
Look, one more coat on the window sill, still counts as nearly over.

We have even had some concreting done in the meanwhile, because I think Kelly was a bit sick of walking around in the dirt. She's fine by the way, the baby is moving so much now (it's even had hiccups a couple of times), it's hard to believe that it'll be out, about and fighting gravity in 6 weeks.

Here are some pics of the work so far;


(Above) The Nursery all *ahem* Done.


(Above) Kelly's excited about decorating.


(Above) Like, Really Excited.


(Above) Poor doors, they're about to be hung.


(Above) Our new slab and pathway to the lab, I mean laundry.

After this week there will finally be room for our bed in the bedroom so we don't have to sleep in the sleepout.

Then it will outdoor garden fun for awhile.
Bring a shovel.

Sincerely,
Evan.

Happily Ever Closer

Hayho

This is really only an update on that painting job I told you about.
The walls have been colored and now it's up to me to detail where the walls meet the ceiling.
I actually chose the to leave this job until this weekend because I just couldn't face going up that ladder one more time. If you had of walked in on us all working, you might have thought us all pregnant the way we were grunting whenever we had to move something, get up or get down.

Speaking of Kelly, she is travelling along well, has that common malady "Cankles", but is otherwise normal I suppose for someone who is pregnant. She does get tired, even when reading, but I guess she isn't yet at that stage of "Get it out of me".

The baby moves quite a lot at times, so much so that I can almost distinguish body parts in there, even so the reality of this impending joy hasn't really hit me yet. But it won't be long now.

7 weeks to go.

Here are some more pics of the process with the final color.





Thanks to Jeff, who worked so hard without complaining once or twice.
Cheers mate, you bring the limes.

The walls are closing in...

Howdy,
Well it has been a busy week, what with the painting of the nursery and all.
The walls just need the new color on which, thankfully has been decided on.
Below is a, sort of, series of pics of the nursery.
The paint is only the primer, the color will be pebble white.

It has been really nice having so much help from Gay and Jeff, and from the out of towners, Andrea and Scott (in picture). They have driven all the way from the Gold Coast to slave away in a small confined space with other sweaty people and the constant danger of a wet brush to the forehead and they still come back the next weekend. Thank you.

For those of you who took part in my poll (part 1), you might be surprised to find that no-one picked the name I liked, Lex. This week starts off another poll, so pick carefully, you won't make a difference.
Cheerio,
Evan.

Cumfy Bump

Hello

Somehow, though I know Kelly will be glad to have the baby out, I can think of one little someone who will be disappointed to lose her favorite bump.

While snuggling up to Kelly last night, little miss (Kora) was kicked by the baby but she just looked affronted and refused to move. I can see her as a great play mate for our bub. At least we'll get some rest.

This weekend we will be painting our bedroom and, more importantly, the nursery. So now all Kelly has to do is figure out what color she would like, cos my input ain't worth a damn.

We had first decided on White, then moved on to Green, then in the dead of night Kelly pronounced that Blue would be nicer, then in the morning wasn't so sure but thought that maybe we could just paint it white with a feature wall, then Kelly liked Latte with White trims, and now we are back to just plain old white. Or are we. Kelly now points out that she still likes the Latte idea but it's not over 'til the paint hits the wall.

This week starts off the thrilling, "Who cares what Evan thinks, I'll call the baby what I like" poll.
I'll change it every week to see if you can guess what I won't be calling the baby. Maybe I should just include the obvious, "All of the above" option.

I bid you adieu,
Evan the Non-Despot.

Rhymes with time and wine and sign and fine...

Hello
For those in the know
Ten weeks to go
Until all that is so
Goes out of the window

Yes, it's true, ten weeks or eight weeks or twelve weeks or, well you get the idea.
There is a feverish pace with which things are being renovated here, floors polished, garden redesigned, paint choices being changed again and again.

I had never imagined being a handyman, and well let's face it, I am still not.
But it's nice having people around us so ready with advice and a pair of helping hands, sometimes a bongo. So now all these projects that thought so daunting and so easy to mess up are now becoming a little more inviting.

As long as there are Chocolate Ginger's, Corona's, Extra Dry's and Gin & Tonic's,
they will come.

Pictures are coming....

Evan

Varnish on the dancefloor.

Sorry no new posts for awhile.
Been busy with renovations on the floor so because of fumes we have been abroad at Kelly's parents home. All is well, Kelly is getting huge. 10 weeks to go, so when we get back home, photos of belly will appear.
That's it.



Evan and Kelly

Cute Fluffy Toys

Hello,
Well I told you I would change my mind about the colour of the nursery. Navy and red was my original choice but I can't seem to find any baby items in these colours. We have now settled on blue, green and yellow. So having this decided, I went into the baby shop to buy practical items such as a baby bath, sheet sets & a cradle mattress...
but I walked out with 3 fluffy toys to decorate the nursery.
Poor baby, we will have nowhere to bath it but at least its room will look nice.


So these toys are officially the first I have bought for our bub and below is a pic of the first thing Evan bought, a hand puppet of all things. I do think it is pretty cute & Evan being a born performer will put on awesome puppet shows when the baby gets a bit older.

Well anyway, all is well with me. Really glad that the morning sickness is over and I am enjoying the pregnancy. I have been reading lots of books and I am finding it a little overwhelming with what to do and what not to do. I am sure we will figure everything out along the way. Evan and I are so grateful that we have beautiful parents that will help us and support us 100%.
I better toddle off to bed and put my feet up.
Kelly

Hay

It was our first Anniversary last Sunday so we went out to Woodgate, on the coast out of Childers for a picnic. We visited the beach first and it was such a lovely spot, no clouds, calm water, not too hot and the wind was just perfect. For what you may ask. We will get to that.

Afterward we travelled to Hoppy Lark Creek for the picnic and I was expecting this small, grassy, flat area next to this narrow creek. It was amazing turning up to this beautiful vista.


While sipping Ginger beer, we exchanged gifts. Mine was a childhood favorite, The Complete Chronicles of Narnia and Kelly's was also a childhood favorite, a Kite.
So, of course we travelled back to the beach for some amateur aerobatics.


In case you're wondering about any baby news,
since that's what this blog is for,
Kelly's feet are swelling every so often, the baby is definitely more active, and we went to our first Antenatal class just now.

That's all from me and her and that's all from him or her,
Evan.