Miss Erin turns 5!!!

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Erin at her last day of kinder

Erins 'green group' celebrates its last day together!!

AND! finishes kinder for the year!!

This last week has seen Erin turn a big 5 years old and she also had her last day of kinder ever.

Erins kinder celebrated with a party and had Santa visit to give out a gift to each of the children. I was very proud of her. She recieved a certificate to say she had completed Kinder and was ready for school. Erin also gave us a gift she had been working on all year, a calander with pictures she had been painting each month in themes of winter, easter etc. It is really pretty!!

Happy 5th Birthday to our beautiful Daughter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Wednesday 20th December, Erin turned 5 years old. We had a quiet morning opening pressies in bed and then had pancakes for breaky. When dad got home we got ready for the big party!! The long awaited arrival of this jumping castle she had heard so much about finally was blown up and the kids were off jumping, it was such a great hit!!! Erin had invited 20 of her favourite friends from Kinder and playgroup to come dressed in the theme of their favourite disney character, and lots of kids dressed up SO well!! The children had a great time playing and eating afternoon tea. We managed a game of pass the parcel... otherwise the kids just ran around the back yard getting hot!! Erin requested a chocolate cake for her birthday, which is nice and simple for me the non creative cake maker LOL! All the kids loved singing happy birthday to her and help her open all her presents. She was so spoilt by her friends!! Erin had made up the lollie bags and gave them all a special colour coded bag to say thanks for coming.

We now have christmas just around the corner and still havent found a home for all her new presents yet!! We need to go through all her toys and work out which ones are too young for her and perhaps could be better used by another little girl and donate them to charity... (or the bin LOL)

We dont know how we are going to make it throught the next 5 or so weeks... We will be on to the count down to school starting. Erin will be in Prep/1 class next year which we are really happy about. She should have no excuse for being bored!! LOL Her first official day is still to be confirmed, but we think its Friday 1st Feb, leaving the 31st Jan for the grade 1's to get settled in before the new preps join into the class. Her first big day of school where all the preps go is 5th Feb.....also happens to be my first day of orientation to my nursing studies... :( We will work it out. Of course her dad will be there to settle any nerves which I am sure will be great for a dad to be able to do. That about does it for Erin.... She is now counting down the remaining days till santa arrives. And that comes with 1 million and 1 questions about where he is now and what hes doing etc.....

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY JOSS!!!!!

We can not believe our baby is now 1! He still seems so little. Joss woke up to his brother and sister wanting to open presents straight away. And of course after about 20 mins of trying to get the stupid bloody toy out of the box he actually got to play with them. We spent the morning playing and getting ready for his party at lunch time. He had a little party from 11-2 with his little playgroup friends and some family too. All the kids ate party food and Joss got to play outside which he loves to do. He really doesnt like being away from his brother and sister. It will be great when he is walking and able to navigate his way around the back decking and steps out the the sandpit. Joss enjoyed the kids and party food, especially the table he could help himself to LOL!!! All the kids sang happy birthday and I made just a simple 1 shape out of chocolate ripple cake and experimented with the butterscotch biscuits at one end (very yummy!) Then we just had a quiet afternoon playing with the toys and tidying up. He had a good day.

Here are Joss's stats at his recent 12 month check up:

Weight:9.3kg

Length: 72.5cm

Head circ: 43cm

The Health nurse was very happy with his progress. He is still feeding once over night, but the other night slept from 10pm till 5 or 6am, I cant remember but anyway, that is huge for him!! I was back to resettling and feeding twice over night last night. I am tempted to move him into Darcy's room but concerned that he will wake Darcy up during the day sleeps and also overnight. I would be much happier if he was at least sleeping a good block overnight, for Darcy's sake. Not to mention trying to fit the cot in the room too! I would probably have to move the change station out to fit it in. The boys have bunk beds already set up in there but Joss needs at least another year almost in his cot to be safe. I think Darcy was about 20months when he went into his big bed.

Joss is growing well otherwise. He is becoming a little less clingy. He still certainly has his moments. He is still a mummies boy and cries whenever I leave the room, but getting better and easier to destract. He is also playing better with Darcy. We are still finding Darcy stealing toys of him etc but thats all teaching Darcy how to share or find something else to offer Joss to play with..

Anyway... the photos of Joss are at his party, the morning he woke of his birthday and also a few over the last week of his toofy grin and one where he decided to pull the vent out of the ducted heating (his latest he must go around the house and do in every room!) and then he stuck is legs in there like he was going fishing. We thought it was pretty funny :)

It seems weird to have a 1 year old and a 2 year old LOL!

Now we are in the planning stages of Erins 5th birthday!! She is in her transition stages of school and so very excited about going next year. She will do so well at school. But more about her another day :)

Day at CAT!

Today we went to the CAT open day (Catapillar makes all different heavy machinaries) And as you can imagine Darcy was in his element, Erin had a good time too! Darcy even began last night by preparing and reading up on the latest brochures from CAT.. Its his latest reading material, forget bedtime stories LOL!! Darcy thought it was great climbing in and out of all these enormous escavators and trucks and bobcats etc. He watched some product launches and thought that was great seeing them in action. Erin got her face painted and jumped on the jumping castle. Darcy then went and had a look at the truck show and shine they had and found a monster truck, he thought that was great!! Then we swung by the airport to pick up my dad who has been visiting my brother and sister who live in QLD. So its been a big day. Glad to be home and out of that bitterly cold wind!!

MOTIVATION???????????????

where are you????

I am struggling with the diet aspect at the moment. I am so good all day but as soon as the afternoon hits....the cravings do too. I am not even hungry!! I just WANT stuff... I usually hit the gym at that time, but on those days I am not going its really hard... I know I should just do something else to occupy myself, but trying telling my cravings that!! I am not even craving sweet stuff, i just want stuff!! Naughty stuff LOL

Oh well, I will be right.... Just at a little hump in the road at the moment...

Weight loss Journey Update!

Well I have officially been at the gym now for 3 weeks and lost a total of 3 kg's which is right on target of acheiving the first of my goals I have set. I was measured properly yesterday by my trainer and will measure in a months time for a closer look at how I am going. I have been good, going almost every day for an hour. My legs have finally stopped aching thank god!!LOL For a week I could not walk properly.

also.....

HAPPY 27TH BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was spoilt by hubby and kids with some beautiful jewellery!! A white gold bracelet chosen by Erin with a heart shaped charm. And some gold earings with Rubies from Arron. Also my bestest girlfriends spoilt me with some cash for my new gym clothes!! Love them too!!

JOSS IS CRAWLING!!! I think I forgot to sell you all :) He started crawling 3 weeks ago. He now is much happier crawling around after Darcy and Erin and can go and see what they are up to, or follow me around. He is trying to pull himself up on everything. He has quite a few bruises on his face and forid from bonking his head on everything. He is forever getting stuck under the coffee table. He loves hiding under the dinner table, the other day I thought I had lost him LOL.

He is 10 months old and eating much better. Still feeding 4-5 times a day including once over night. I am actually getting some SLEEP at night too!! which is a nice change for the first time in about 7-8 months he is sleeping better. He sleeps twice a day too, usually one for 2 hours and the other for about an hour. Still just 2 teeth for now :0)

thats about all to report on the little man!!

The picture of his is taken at the melbourne show last week. He was so well behaved and even slept for an hour in his pram..

watch this space.......

I have joined the gym!!

I am very excited about how I am going to change. I was prepared to go on some radical diet (tony fergussons or xenical) to try and lose some weight. But out of the blue got a phone call from the gym 1km up the road saying I had won a gold member ship at below half price, you know how they call all excited and try and sell you what ever they can. Only this time I have got serious!!! And took them up on the offer. I only pay 10 bucks a week for unlimited everything at the gym. They have a creche mon, tues and thurs mornings too.

SO!! wish me luck. With my personal trainer is going to offically weigh and measure me in a month. She is going to go easy on me over the first month so that my body can adjust to the new exercise regime and not go too hard on my as I might see a lose of milk supply and I don't want that. So she said after that we will 'get serious' LOL

I am also taking the blackmores sugar balance and they are making a huge difference. I have been taking them strictly 3 times a day since monday and already feel the sugar cravings are under control. I am not having to rely on just my will power to get me through each day. Diet wise not trying to 'diet'. I am still eating anything I want but making better choices. I am concertrating on keeping a balanced day, and making sure 2 our of 3 of my meals are low GI and low in fat.

so watch this space for my brags and acheivements!!

PHOTOS!!






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this is Mr Serious, Darcy. Could not smile for a photo to save himself. Just like his dad.

I have been tagged...

1. How old are you? 26

2. How many kids do you have if any? 3 Children: Erin who is 4 and 8 months, Darcy who is 2 and 3 months and Joss who is 9 months old.

3. Are you married, single, divorced, widow? Married to Arron for 5 years now.

4. What is your occupation? Full time Mum and also I have been supporting profoundly disabled people for over 8 years now and also currently employed as a census collector with the Aust Bureau of Stats.
Next year I begin my nursing cert. Then once all children in school go on to become a Div 1 Nurse. (secretly I would rather be a doctor)

5. What are your passions? My children and my husband I am passionate about the most. I am also passionate about my friends and people in general.. I love to help people and talk to people. Making just a small difference in someones life gives me a huge buzz!

6. Are you a dreamer or a dream seeker? evenly both.

7. Are you happy with the way you life has turned out? Without a doubt in the world. My life is turning out exactly how I had dreamed and better! Wouldnt change a thing.

8. Are you a scrapper and if so how many hours a week do you scrap? Never been keen on scrapping ever. And now there are not enough hours in the day to do my simple tasks without throwing in scrapping! Maybe when I am old :)

9. What do you want to do before you die? Become a great grandma. Buy a farm with cows and sheep. Travel extensively with my family around australia and eventually with Arron over seas. Become a Div 1 nurse and maybe even a doctor! (probably australias oldest university student studying medicine!!) Live in a big beautiful house.

10. What is your favorite food? Where do I start? Probably donuts are one of my fav's. Followed closely by almost all other cakes and sweets LOL. I think ALL of my teeth are sweet ones, not just ONE!! Love chocolate and icecream too. I just love tasty food in general!!!

11. What is the food you hate the most? most seafood. rare meats. eggplant, olives, HOT foods wether it be chilli hot or curry hot. asparagus, sardines.

12. What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
Wet my pants infront of the school when I was about 9, and got dacked in year 8.

13. What is the happiest day of your life thus far? Of course the birth of all 3 children and our wedding day. Also the days we found out we were expecting all 3 children were great days too. There could not possibly ONE single day.

14. Are you a neat freak? Not at all! I am probably not even neat! Looking around the room, it looks like a cyclone has recently made its way through my loungeroom!! Before children I was pretty neat and tidy because I had the time. Now I have better things to do with my time.....

All bloggers I know have been tagged.... So it ends with me!!


and photos!! YES i have not forgotten LOL I took some pictures of Erin yesterday at her Kinder excursion to Chesterfield farm and I will go take some of Joss now and Darcy when he comes home. Give uploading them a go in the next day or two....

By the way......

I GOT MY BIKE LEARNERS!!! So have been taking to the roads on my bike to and from work and Arron and I went out for a ride on the weekend.

ps. HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY ARRON! You old man...

walking...walking...walking.....
that is all I have been doing for the last week to deliver all the census forms in my little job with aust bureau of stats. 344 homes I have just delivered too, and I god knows how many km's I have covered in my travels!! AND its not all over yet!! I need to go and GET them all!! So, I am hoping that lots and lots of people fill theirs out online so I dont have to go back...makes my job easier!! I just did mine online. The extra cash will be muchly appreciated to pay Arrons new bike reg, my car reg and the cost of a new fence, since Arron backed into part of the already severely rotten fence and it fell over!! We have wanted a new fence since we moved here, but never wanted to bring it up with our neighbours. But, now its not a matter of if, but when. And they know we are looking at getting a dog or two for the children come summer, so lets hope they get this friend of a friend of a friend in soon to do a measure and quote. Little do they know we had a bloke in about 6 months ago to size the job up and looks like around $800 for each of us... Might have to live here just a bit longer to get our moneys worth out of the fence LOL!!!

Not much else to report... Joss has decided food isnt all that bad and is eating from a spoon, YIPPEE!!! but still sooks and cries. Wish we knew why.
I now have all my gear to get on the road! I sit my learners in 7 days....I havent had a chance to read the book cover to cover yet, But understand they talk alot about what will be on the test on the 2 day riding course.
Erin and Darcy spent last night and today with my mum and stepdad. They stayed up late watching movies and went out to williamstown on a boat for a cruise. I hear they had a ball and loved it to bits. Their first trip on a boat!!
photos soon, i promise!!!!!!!

Just a few things.............

Firstly, my beloved Grandy passed away on saturday. He went peacefully in his sleep and is now with my Nana. Those two were my role models growing up. Whom I continued my faith in marriage. With my parents divorcing (and so many others) my grandparents remained married and if both still alive today would be in their 60th year of wedded bliss!!! Just wonderful I think for a couple whom met and got engaged on the bank of the Yarra all on the same day! Anyway, his funeral is this thursday. So a sad day... especially for my mum, now losing both parents.

Joss got his first tooth also on Saturday!! He is so restless and unsettled I just popped a finger in to check as I was sure it was his teeth moving around, and sure enough, a freshly laid tooth LOL. Cant wait for it to grow and see him with a Toofy grin!!

Also, I am booked in for my motorbike L's finally!! August 14th and 15th. So wish me luck!! Arron just bought a new bike. Kawasaki zx6r, 98 model I think, green and purple. Its a bit flashy! He is a tad bit excited!! And I get his old bike till off my P's, then we will sell it probably. I lay by'd a few of my bike things, my helmet, gloves and cool pinky purple, grey and white Army camo cargo motorbike pants!! just on the hunt for the perfect jacket LOL On my budget too...!!!

Not much else to report!! Was just about to quickly upload some pics but it asked for my username and password, but i cant remember!!! bloody hell, new photos will never get here at this rate!!!

Has it really been that long???

Good God!! I didnt realise how long it has been since I last blogged....you must think I have fallen off the earth. Well, I havent! We have been SO bloody busy here of late, it is nuts chasing after 3 little kids, Honestly, Its hard work!!

Erin is doing well. She hasnt done anything interesting of late. She had a play date with her boyfriend Max, the two had a great time together and of course the nagging is back on as to when they can play together again??!! We have another transition day this week at Erins primary school. I have done some more Kinder duty and pleased to see how Erin is at kinder, she seems to have found a little more confidence with dancing and moving in front of her friends which is good. I am waiting for her painted plate to arrive, I cant wait!!!

Darcy is growing up so fast. We laugh all the time at his gorgeous facial expressions. He is ever so cute when he is telling Erin off sounding just like us even when he is getting her to see reason..."Enin, we dont want to fall off now do we? nooooooooo..." He is such a pleasure to have around. He certainly can have a temper tantrum, that is to be expected at 2! but for the better part of the day he is lovely. I am really looking forward to seeing the two boys growing and interacting over the coming months and years. I am pleased Darcy is still very much dependant on his day sleeps and it is always min 2 hours. Gives Joss a chance to sleep in the quiet when Erin is at kinder mon & tues arvo's. Not to mention quiet time for Arron and I too!! We have been trying to teach Darcy his colours, he knows 'colours' like red and blue and green, but doesnt know which is which yet. He is able to group colours and match up the lids to the correct texta or join the little pegs he has in the right colour, so he is on the right track at least. We also have been teaching him how to ride his bike. He can turn the wheels so far and we are just encouraging him to look at where he is going rather than down at his feet. It wont take him long I am sure!! He has taken a liking to tv all of a sudden and so much more interactive with it than Erin ever was. He will dance along, and sing the songs and do the actions to wiggles. He likes the hooley dooleys and boobah too. He loves thomas but not so keen on the dvd's yet, more his thomas books. Perhaps I make the stories more interesting? He also likes to point out the trains facial expressions "thomas angeeee mum or Percy happeeeeeeey mum" So he is such a funny kid these days, so cuddly and cute!

Joss is 8 MONTHS OLD TODAY!!! Where on earth has that gone?? He has by far been the child of ours whom has grown up the fastest it seems. He is sitting by himself, standing up holding our hands for a long time. He has turned around in the car seat the last week or two as he was falling asleep looking at us, in the FRONT of the car!!LOL cant be good for the neck!! Joss is still really unsettled over night. I would like to blame it on his teeth moving around so at least I have a reason, but to be honest I have no idea!! I hate giving him Nurofen before bed each night, but it makes a significant amount of difference to his sleep, so as long as its not for too long, I think he will sleep better as he gets older *fingers crossed*
Joss isn't a huge fan of solid food. I remember Darcy went from eating hardly any to eating 3 serves a day!! Joss dislikes all breakfast foods except the odd crust of vegemite toast. He dislikes sweet tasting foods and certainly favours the savoury dinner's. Pumpkin is his favourite, he enjoys corn too. Perhaps when he is eating more substantial portions of food he will sleep better also?? Who knows! He is still being breast fed too. I am happy to feed him into his second year, if he wants. I will probably hang on to that last baby thing as long as I can I imagine!!

Joss is rolling around, but with two older siblings, he gets everything handed to him. He is enjoying time on his tummy too so hopefully we will see him beginning to learn how to crawl. I know the kids are going to love him being able to crawl into their rooms, and it will make for a happier boy too to be able to keep himself amused. Joss certainly cries a lot more than the others for our attention and to be picked up ALL the time. He gets bored easily and doesnt enjoy the peace and quiet unless its sleeping time. I think he is very similar to Erins personality.

Me, well I have just started working for the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the up and coming Census as a collector. So no doubt things will be a lot busier for me over the coming month of August with all the delivering and picking up of the census forms from a small area here in Mt Evelyn... approx 350 households. Should be fun!!! and I should shed a few kg with all the walking I will have to do!! Thats about all thats new with me!!

Will get the camera out again and gets some up to date pics of the kids. They would have changed a lot since I last posted pictures I am sure, Well Joss would have anyway!!LOL

Erin's Kinder photo's

Here are a few of Erin's 4 year old Pre-school photo's, arnt they beautiful!! Last year when I picked them up I was all pregnant and hormonal and cried all the way home I liked them so much LOL!! Bu this year I was good, no tears, just lots of pride :)

Erin has been loving kinder. She has made quite a few friends and they have formed their own little group. Its funny how you can see kids going off in their groups of kids that are similar in personalities to themselves already. Of course Erin is part of the loud, larikan group. Erin and Max still have a great little friendship (max is her 'boyfriend') and she always asks to go to his house. She has a party this sunday with one of the boys Joshua in her little 'group' so I am looking forward to seeing her hanging out with her friends. It is great to also see her being herself around them too. She is the same at home as at kinder, always trying to make people laugh and have a joke. (i dont know where she gets that from??!!)
Kinder has had a big term concerntrating on the community. She had a visit from the police to kinder and visited to library on an excursion. Next week we walk over to the fire station which she is looking forward to, and of course I had better volunteer and take the boys. Both Arron and I have done kinder duty this term. The kids were all happy to have a dad on duty. Some of the girls were a little quiet around him but the boys were happy. Arron enjoyed playing with Max too, he is such a nice boy.

We have decided on Erins school, Mt Evelyn Primary School. We went to the open night and liked the atmosphere and the school. They have great programs and its quite a big school with 470 students this year. I know she will love it there. Making the transition a lot easier will be having her mates Max and Joshua going there too. Also a little girl from her 3 Y.O preschool class last year she made friends with is going too. Most of the children are going to another school. We have had one transition class there and Erin was right at home. She had 45mins in the class with kids that will be with her next year and a few of the prep teachers. She has another one in July and begins more intensive transition during October. We will get her uniform then, its nice colours. Navy blue, light blue + Maroon. She is very excited....

EDITED TO ADD BLOGGER BEING A PAIN IN THE ARSE!! WONT UPLOAD PHOTOS!!!!

Joss 6 Months Old Today!!

Joss has ahold of his first chocolate biscuit here LOL. You should have seen him crack the sads when he had sucked it to a crumb!! And WHAT a MESS!

What a cutie!!!!!!!!!

I just cant believe he is now closer to being 1 years old than my newborn baby!! Its so sad. Joss is doing just about all he should be doing by this age, although the other 2 babes were doing a lot more at this age. I am happy for him to stay like this forever quite frankly!! Means he stays my 'baby' longer :) He was checked over by the health nurse and his stats are:
Weight: 7.6kg
Length: 66cm
Head Circ: 44.5cm
His height and weight are nicely in preportian @ 40th%ile and staying true to the Draper Clan his head is up 75th%ile LOL. I have to give Joss more tummy time get him to do more push ups and get him rolling. He is sitting well proped up and reaching out for toys and bringing them to his mouth. Joss has finally got the hang of his solids. Today he ate more than he ever has in 1 day! So, with a bit of luck, these more substantial servings of solids each day will encourage him to sleep better over night. He is still waking 4-6 hours after going to bed, then 2 hourly after that for a feed. Part of me says enjoy it and embrace it because it is all part of having a little baby and of course then there is the sleep deprived grump that says for GOD SAKE BOY, GO TO SLEEP!! LOL
Other than that he hasnt began talking yet, I thought he was going to say something the other day, but nothing came out. He is much happier watching the other two clowns entertain him and making him giggle. So cute watching them all play together. Joss loves the Jolly Jumper, it gives him a whole new look at everything standing up right. Of course the entire time we nag the kids to leave him alone, but, its hard when Joss thinks they are funny and the kids say, but he likes it mum!!
So I am happy to report he is a happy little boy!! Hard to believe whats in store for us in the coming 6 months! Words, crawling, standing, walking??!!! All of which NONE I am ready for...

opps! I forgot

to leave the link to Darcy's birthday photos!! Sorry..

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=a18b63m9.2qjemu2p&x=0&y=-420f2r

Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARCY!!!

Today Darcy is TWO YEARS OLD!! He had a little gathering of friends here Saturday to celebrate the joyous occasion. He ate and was merry!! In the early hours of Sunday morn, he woke and threw up all in his bed. I just thought he probably over did it with the party food etc, threw up a few times over the Sunday also. He missed out on his birthday buddies little party as he stayed home sleeping. Today, he has continued to be sick and very lethargic. He has slept most of his birthday away. He was well and truly spoilt with lots of lovely gifts. His favorite being his 2 new train sets. We have had one constantly running at all times LOL!! We are off to Nani and Poppi's later for dinner and cake. Although I think he might have to settle for toast and weak cordial. I can't believe he is 2 already. Although the last few weeks he has come along leaps and bounds with his talking, counting and even did poo's intentionally!! He was so proud saying 'look mummy, Poo's'. He is a parrot, and it is hard to tell Erin off seriously with him repeating everthing I say and everything his dad say's.
I will download his birthday photo's and share the link with you soon.

Happy Birthday Darcy, We love you so very much!! You cheeky little monkey.
Love your mummy, daddy, Ennnin & Doss

4 Day's till Darcy turn's TWO. :(
He is having a little party on Saturday for his little mates, then Monday we will take him on puffing billy whilst Erin at kinder. I know he will love that. Then off to mum's for his birthday dinner and cake. He is very excited. He is still saying its Melanies birthday (my sister) as she was 23 on the 1st May. He has had a bit of practise blowing out candles too. I am excited for him, but sad he is 2 almost!!

Update

Here is the latest picture of Mr. Darcy and his battle wounds. He doesnt look so bad now hey? He keeps telling us SORE NOSE and picking at the scab but he is coping very well. He likes to look at in the mirror a lot. Erin did not like him being upset and hurt, she said she wanted the old Darcy back again, not he hurt one. Joss is still keeping me up most of the bloody night. I have introduced solids and he is slowly getting the hang of it. He has tried normal rice cereal with breast milk, water and formula and none to which he was keen on. He enjoyed puree'd apple with banana multigrain cereal yesterday so I might try him with that again. I tried him with rice cereal in a bottle yesterday and that just sent him off to sleep LOL. I guess I just have to keep going with the flow for a bit longer. Til then a frustrating broken nights sleep it is for me!! Not to mention the numerous times I get up to Darcy every now and then....Oh the joys :)

Poor Darcy!!

My Little man had a big accident with the ground today. The other picture was taken where he actually fell. (the photo does not do how steep the hill actually was) We went to the Maroondah Dam today with my mum and her car club. We walked across the dam wall and up to the look out and of course we were making our way back and Darcy began running and went for a sixer.... He made a right mess of his gorgeous face :( We took him to Healesville hospital to have it checked out as mum and I felt it may need a stitch or two. But after bloody 20 min walk back to the car and trip back into town, the blood had actually dried up and the doc said it would cause a major destress for Darcy if he was to give it a good clean up and use that glue. So he popped a steri strip across the area and said he should be right. I have not been able to have a really good look as the whole area is still covered in blood, so I have not decided to get a second opinion or not yet. He will certainly sport a nice scar!! He just woke up and has peeled off the steri strip and it looks not as bad. Will see how he looks after a bath tonight or in the morning.

What have we been up to??

Boy we have been busy!! This might take a while, so grab a cuppa...

Our Trip to Shepparton
We headed to Shep to follow my parents on their end of their Grand Prix Rally. We met up with them at DECA to watch them do their time trials. The kids travelled well as we left just before the boys sleep time, so half the journey was quite! Poppi did well, he races a 66 mustang (it can be seen on the main page of the GP Rally w/s. We then went and checked into a little motel just out of Shep and all jumped into the pool. It took Darcy a long time to warm up to the water, but his confidence grew the longer we stayed. We headed to my cousin's for a bbq dinner to celebrate her daughter's birthday. After all the boys had fallen asleep in the hotel room, it was a matter of waiting for Erin to nod off, I think it was about 10.45pm when she finally crashed!! God that girl has energy! We woke to follow Poppi on his next leg of the rally out to an air field then broadford raceway. Darcy was in his element and absolutely LOVED the race car's.

Erin
Has been good. She had her easter party at kinder last week together with her bounc-a-thon, and I am so annoyed I didnt check the batteries in the camera before we left the house, hense why I have no photo's! Grrrr For the first time she came home and said she had not 1, but 8 boyfriends LOL! I saw her in her flirtatious action during her easter party and she was so confident around all the newer kids in her class, it was great to see. Rather cute seeing her holding hands and casually flirting like its second nature, SO her mother!! LMAO. Luckily Arron was at the playground with Darcy and didnt witness it, I dont think he is ready to see that just yet LOL. She is blowing us away with recognising what Arron and I are spelling to each other in our 'parent code' I dont know how she does it!! I am feeling more confident about her abilities now, she is recognising a lot more of the alphabet and all her numbers (well 8 times outta 10) Her name is more legable (god, is that even how you spell that word?) and she can now copy words I write down for her. So, she is doing well!!

Joss
Was 5 MONTHS OLD yesterday!! SO big!! He is a cutie still. Its a little frustrating waking up to feed him so often over night like he is a newborn. He recently wakes at least 4 hourly, whats with that?? It is ordinarily ok, but the last 2 nights have been just exhausting after working till 11.15pm then once you just about asleep or been asleep a short time its awake time!! then again!! and again!! He is also starting the day at 6am on the money too, so that is tiring. I am thinking of trying solids... See how I go over the coming days, weeks. Its not like he is too young now...hmmm...No other milestones to report it this stage. He isnt rolling, but none of my babes have been big roller's. Everytime he has tummy time Darcy thinks he can ride him!! Blimey Darcy he is NOT a horsey or a bike! Get off!! The joy's hey?!! No sign of teeth, thank god. Thats about all with my littlest man..

Darcy
He is almost 2!! I find it so hard to look at him and see my baby anymore. He is so grown up these days. He is using 3 words to a sentance now something I am sure Erin was doing at 6 months under wet cement!! He is singing which is such a cute thing to hear, he sings along to the radio, to the music on his abc kids shows. We have have decided to have a little party for him just with his little mates for a bit of cake and sing happy birthday. He has got a bit of practise in of late to blow candles out. With a bit of luck we can improve on his first birthdays effot of putting the candle out with his hand. hmmm. We popped his birthday pressie on layby. What a bargain!! a massive 60% off this Thomas train set. Just have to find the place to set it up here. I am sure it wont be long and the floor just wont be the right place for that type of thing and joss with turn into destruction kid LOL. Darcy has a few trains at mums he just lays on his tummy and watches them go for ages, so I am sure we are on a winner with his train. I put a bunch of clothes on layby for the kids and cant wait to see Darcy all dressed up in the stuff Arron picked for him, will look so cute!! He is still in size 1 pants, but a size 2 top. Darcy has been waking up often at night and the other early morning when Arron was heading off to work he found darcy sitting on his floor reading books!! at 4.30am!! Cheeky boy! We love watching him grow, he is such a character!

ME
I have been good lately. Finding it hard to be enthusiastic about work. I just miss the kids and Arron madly when I am away. But the money is good and important to keep our family the way it is at the moment, and that is the main thing. I have been doing well with my eating and feeling much better for it. I have been concertrating on eating well and seeing the benefits in Joss. He is much happier and settled. I am also a proud loser of 5 kg's too. 1 KG away from my pre-preg weight. I have set myself little rewards for each 5 kg I lose. In 2kg's I am getting my ear's peireced and next is a new hair colour!! Blonde!! Time for a change I think and its a good incentive to get the next 5 kg shifted. All I have been doing is planning my day's eating. Drinking lots of water and green tea. Staying away from sugar and I dont eat any bread products. I dont miss it at all. I make each meal yummy and take the time to enjoy it. The other day I ate a chocolate bar for the first time in weeks, and I was pre-occupied when eating it and didnt get to enjoy it!! And it was one of those new ones and I cant even remember what it tasted like!! So now if I am gonna have something nice like that I like to make it count and actually enjoy it. It makes the world of different just changing my thinking.

Easter was great fun!! Erin was the first one awake out of the 2 bigger kids. I had just finished feeding Joss in bed and heard her jump out of bed and run to the lounge to tell me Easter bunny had been. He even ate some of his carrot, all his lettuce and drank all his drink!!! The kids had a choc fest all day long. I dont even know if Darcy ate anything other than chocolate!! We have mountains of chocolate now. I must say I am almost sick of the sight of it. Which is a good thing :) The kids loved a visit from my Aunty and sister to Nani and Poppi's on horses. The kids got to have rides and loved it. Darcy was right at home and not scared at all. Erin was very nervous and hopped off as soon as the pony moved at that age, but darcy really enjoyed it.

You can see our photos HERE that I have been taking over April

only 26 days till my little man is 2!! oh no!! :(

Latest Draper Babes pics

Awwwww!!!

How cute are these!!! Darcy looks about 4 years old!! Love em'

Where has my baby gone??!! Joss has taken a real shining to waking up every night to be re settled taking me a good 30mins, only to wake almost 1 hour later on the dot to be fed!! If I am lucky he will go back to sleep after his feed but last night he woke at 2.30am and I didnt get him to sleep till 4.30am!! But how can you stay mad at him??!! Especially with those smiles.. At least he is sleeping a good hour in his cot a few times each day which gives me time to catch up on the washing or sit here LOL! I guess I will just have to ride out whatever it is he is doing, letting him cry wakes up the other babes. The thought of introducing solids to see if it will encourage him to sleep better does not sit right, so will wait till he is ready. Just mean's I convert back to that tired new born mummy phase!! ahhh!!

back to kinder today!!

Thank god!! Erin needs so much mental stimulation and gets bored easily. It is almost impossible to physically tire her out, she can be up with the sparrows and go and go and still ask late at night how she is supposed to fall asleep!!


. She now has her own playstation game, Daffy Duck and at least has some of her 'own time'. It also proves as a wonderful tool to get her motivated when being asked to do something!! A quick threat that her playstation game will be put away for a day means she will hop to it. She usually lasts about 10 mins before she gets stuck, but she is pretty good at it!
At kinder they are about to get into the spirit of easter so we are having lots of lovely easter master peices coming home. Erin has her little easter party and 'bouncathon' coming up, so that will be fun. Erin has also mastered writting her own name and recognising a lot more numbers and letters. She is also writing mummy. Growing up waaay too quick :)