Monday 30 November 2015

48/52

a portrait of my son, once a week, every week in 2015

Jimmy: Icy...

Oh man... Winter seems to have arrived with 4 days of icy rain, and a smattering of snow. The rain freezes on the grass, the trees, the roof, the gutters, fruit and flowers. The ice is so thick it is weighing down the trees, even breaking some branches. We've been indoors when not going out for dinner or to keep the stir-crazies at bay.

Michael took this photo of Jimmy and me eating icicles we removed from pine needles. There was ample supple.


Sunday 29 November 2015

Giving thanks...


It's the Thanksgiving weekend, and I know it's been quiet here, but we're here, and there are things to be thankful for:

  • Family. Our little family here. Our family in other countries. 
  • Friends back home and around the world - you are missed.
  • Friends here, for making life here easier.
  • Good health. Yes, sometimes it feels like a stretch, given the toll living overseas is having on Michael and I, but, for the most part, we do have our health.
  • Not having debt. We have our HECS/HELP back in Australia and haven't made back what it cost to move, but we only owe our saving account. There is something nice about that.
  • Tea. Preferably leaf tea, shared with at least one other person.


And thank you for reading, always, always thank you.


Also, thanks to Michael for setting up the timer for the first photo and for taking the photo of Jimmy making tea at the Discovery Center, way back when Grandma was visiting.

47/52

a portrait of my son, once a week, every week in 2015

Jimmy: Porridge, with yoghurt and honey.

Showing off his appetite and appreciation for a hot breakfast. Michael took this lovely photo - I love it because it reminds me of a photo of a much younger Jimmy.


Wednesday 18 November 2015

Disruptive weeks and stolen days...


There was a big, long draft for this post... and it's gone. Perhaps it's for the best - it was rather long...

Let's just say that there were two weeks that were very disruptive, ending about a week ago. Why? Well, Jimmy had two viruses. Back to back, poor boy.

There were days when we dropped him off at daycare only to be called up because he had a fever or threw up. Sometimes he was fine the following morning and sometimes daycare required that he be fever free before he returned.

There was even a trip to the doctor, just to make sure that Jimmy's cough and fever were nothing serious - and they were nothing serious.

There were days when Jimmy seemed to have energy and appetite, only to end in long naps and slight fever again.

There were two days when Jimmy seemed healthy, so we ran around, even went to the library, just like old times... Sweet, stolen days...

There was a night, or early morning (3 am), when we thought for a second that we had to make a run to the emergency room but it was a tight nappy.

There were days when Jimmy hardly touched his food and nights when he was breastfeeding every hour, not that I was checking.

And then Jimmy started eating again, started running around the living room again, and fully returned to his chirpy, cheeky self.

The first day back at work was the worst: Jimmy screamed at dropoff... The last time I had left him screaming in the arms of non-family he was less than two days old. I couldn't deal. I just couldn't. Jimmy didn't like it either, he missed hanging out at home too, sweet child.

And now we're back in the swing of things, and drop off is smooth, work if fine, and Jimmy is healthy: he is eating more than me and ever so cheeky - it's great, but I miss hanging out with my boy...

P.S. A quick thank you to everyone who checked in while all I was posting was the 52 Project. It's nice to know that you were thinking about us, over at the Playground.

Monday 16 November 2015

46/52

a portrait of my son, once a week, every week in 2015

Jimmy: Enjoying having the energy to enjoy the weather.

Jimmy is back!!!! Running around, throwing things, stuffing food into his mouth, laughing, mucking about... He has recovered fully and come through this first week back at daycare. And the weather was lovely this weekend, so plenty of time was spent outside.


And when I say the weather was lovely, I mean it was warm out of the wind, and pleasant with the right clothing. Jimmy insisted on wearing sandals.


I insisted that Jimmy bring his sneakers with us when we went out on Sunday morning, just in case his feet became too cold. He wore his sandals the whole time. His feet were only a little cold.

All these lovely photos were taken by Michael.


Wednesday 11 November 2015

45/52

a portrait of my son, once a week, every week in 2015

Jimmy: Feeling better...

Daddy (Michael) took this one while Jimmy was enjoying some morning cartoons on the weekend. I love the light, the autumn leaves on the tree outside, but what I love most of all is that Jimmy was starting to feel better after a rough two weeks - I'll tell you about it sometime.


Wednesday 4 November 2015

44/52

a portrait of my son, once a week, every week in 2015

Jimmy: Eat the pumpkin!

Jimmy has been unwell, so he missed out on the Halloween party at his daycare, but on the 31st of October we tried to get him to wear his costume. Not happening. Not even when we convinced him to wear his caterpillar overalls so that he could be a caterpillar inside (and therefore eating) the pumpkin... Ah well, part of me is glad that we didn't go to the effort (and expense) of making what we really wanted to make for Jimmy's costume, while part of me is frustrated that we spent money on a costume that Jimmy will probably never wear for more than 5 seconds. At least the costume is big enough that it fits Daddy, right?