Eating Green

Will your child only eat their vegetables and not the chicken or pasta?

Jackson today seems to want to only eat green things. Green Apple, Asparagus to name the most prominant. I had to put his nose on the wall in a corner (our form of dicipline) for pushing his milk cup off the table in frustration as their was no more asparagus left and he was mad. Who the hell puts their kid in time out because they want more asparagus!???

He just had the worst fall off a low chair and cut the bottom of his chin - it is bleeding and when I looked at his blood and told him what the red was (as red is the colour he knows) I got tears in my eyes! My babies blood - self inflicted injury - he was reaching for a peice of green apple. I don't know if I"m all for this going green phase.

Strike over

Playing around with Picassa - I adore this picture of Hannah Harris, and love my interpretation of flooding it with light and a touch of colour. She appears to be daydreaming of a sweeter day ahead. Sharon took this photo a few Easter' ago - she has a great eye.

O.k - I can't keep from not blogging - how else am I going to have a record of our lives?

I cried 4 times yesterday. I am premenstural, big time. I cried because I can't get decent coffee. I cried because the only place that has decent coffee is a drive away and I cant' drive as I have no licence. I cried because I have no money - and even if I did - no way to spend it - as I have no home. I cried when Jackson was sleeping as he was feeling under the wheather and I thought I had worn him out too much in previous days.

I have been volunteering down at Share and Care - a charity organization which Brad's mum is the Executive Director. I love it down there and feel useful helping people, while also fulfilling my ever present urge to clean and sort.

Anyone that lives with me would know that I like everything clean - however on the other hand I am a BIG mess maker - I leave a trail of items across the house. Aparently my mum says I have done this since birth - especially tissues - I leave them anywhere. Joy picks up after me each day, as I'm sure Vicki did too - without me even knowing it. I never take nappies out to the bin - I never close a door - and I mess up the paper so it can never be put back in order again. All these traits I have - and still - he loves me. I must be the luckiest woman around. To help improve my failures has failed - so instead I have opted early to teach Jackson to do these things for me - he takes his own nappy to the rubbish and has done from the moment he could crawl and pull himself up, I still cheer every time. Jack also closes the doors for mummy - and now is almost obsessed with making sure every draw/door is closed properly, and lastly yes indeed - he does pick up my tissues and take them to the bin.

WHAT IS THE POINT OF BLOGGING IF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BACK HOME IN Oz DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO CHECK IT OR READ IT OR **^%##@e# COMMENT ON IT???!!

I AM NOW ON STRIKE.

Easter fun!

Peeps in the morning followed by....
A huge Easter lunch (Check out the huge iced water!)

A mouth full of treats

Crazy duck
Kisses for Granny
Cute boy

Being spoiled and loving it.

Jackson and i have been spoiled by family since we arrived. It began at Bob and Vicki's with a bunch of winter clothes for Jackson for this season and next winter as we had gotten larger sizes as well with the sale prices being amazing. Also on the list new prams - a stroller and small jogger, the jogger is not a name brand but does everything I need and I know just like Bob said I'll need a new one in a year - but I didn't want to wait to order on-line and I figure in a year or so I'll know what kind of expensive and sturdy stroller I'll need. I too have not missed out and the generosity of Bob and Vicki has been greatly appreciated - as everyone knows we only came with our suitcases and a few priceless memories which are somewhere on the Atlantic ocean right now headed for the port of Boston.

While with Bob and Vicki Jackson took a liking to being outside with the dogs - and learnt the best word ever - Please. I wish I could share pictures but Brad has the camera in Boston and the rest are on Bob and Vicki's camera - I need to try to get some photos from someone.

We stayed a bit with Sharon and Matt, Jackson has enjoyed getting to know his cousins - Hannah, Hayse, Makena and Kamryn. On one of our days together we went shopping, just Sharon, me, Jack and Kamyrn - while Sharon left for an appointment for a couple of hours I strolled around with the kids, had photos taken and managed to get them both to smile at the same time! A miracle in itself, fed them and played a bit in the gymborree store with them - when Sharon returned they had both had it - in need of naps the crying started - Oh and I lost a shoe of Kamryns somewhere between JCPenny photo lab and the food court - and had i known how bloody important the bloody shoe was I would have made sure I didn't loose it. So anyway when Sharon turned up her kid had no shoes or stockings on and of course had enjoyed all the same food as jackson so had coco crispy treat (organic) and crackers all over her - as did Jackson - they had a blast and Aunt Sharon almost had a breakdown in the middle of the food court. Needless to say - she went back to find the shoe. I am unsure if I am allowed to take them both anywhere again :) :) Seriously though it was great to spend time with Sharon and we finally got to have that coffee and chat we always talked about. Matt was a great Uncle too, and when his eyes lit up when he would see Jack eating him out of house and home I knew we'd won him over for ever.

The best thing that happened when at Matt and Sharon's was getting to see Kamryn's FIRST STEPS! I got to record them as she laughed and ran her way between Matt and Sharon one evening - and boy can she laugh! It was so much fun. Also Kamryn went to children's hospital for a CT scan to check why she is having problems breathing - the cause was found and she is having surgery on the 14th - so for all who do - we need some serious prayers please.

We are now at Joy's and Jackson loves it - he calls Granny "NeeNee" - Joy and I banter about constantly as we both love to give dish it out and stir each other up - while Jackson is busy breaking everything in site - she had no idea her stereo dials came off until Jackson handed them too her one afternoon - Oh and she is busy buying up a storm of bathroom, kitchen and living appliances. So between all the generosity of family - not to mention Brads grandma donating a housefull of furniture - they are moving and it all is happening now - so we have been the very lucky recievers of all you need to turn a house into a home.

I have no idea who would want to take the time to read all what I have just written - i think I write things so Jackson will have some record of his life - so if you skipped all the above don't worry - we are all having a great time with everyone - and feel so lucky to be surrounded by so many people who love us dearly.

Easter fun!

Kodak moments with Mark and Sara - Brad's cousins. Jackson couldn't get enough kisses from Aunty Sara - or was it the other way around?

While staying with Bob and vicki (Brads Dad) we took a weekend trip to Little Rock where Bill and Mary (Bob's brother) live and Sara (pictured above) and her son Max along with Mark (picutred above) all joined us for a great family reunion - filled with fantastic food - thanks Mary! and lots of love to go around - thanks EVERYONE. Sara and I were husbandless, with both working, and it was our first chance to actually meet in person. I just know we will be great lifelong friends and with two great son's like ours - we have LOTS in common!

Post Easter Egg Hung Sugar high alert!
Sugar giggles
No No stop it! More More!! These two couldn't get enough of the peeps (American Easter marshmallow sugar coated candy)
Paw Paw, adults and kids in bubble heaven.
The Harris clan - minus Bob's son's. Jackson really enjoyed his time with everyone and warmed up to the ladies with lots of lovin's and cheeky smiles all round! Brad was lucky enough to fly in the next weekend and Sara, Mark and Bill and Mary along with Bob and Vicki all joined us for a great lunch at Cracker Barrel (the best southern food you could ask for). So he didn't miss out all together.

My little boy growing up

To all my dear friends back in Tassie - yes I know - before you all disown me for not blogging sooner, or e-mailing - I have not had good internet connection at Brads Dads, and have only just arrived to Brad's mum's where the internet is much better and I can check/send mail - and blog!

So we are alive, well and tired. The past few weeks have been a whirwind, Brad flew in last weekend and looked amazing, 10 years younger - thats what a full night sleep, great food and a great new job will do for you! The bags under his eyes soon returned after two nights with Jackon - he is not sleeping well since the move and I don't blame him. His whole little world has been taken away - I don't care how great your routine is before moving countries - in fact i think it was good that Jackson was flexible with his day and nap times - he has had to be over here. He will now nap anywhere - in the stroller, on the floor, in a trolly seat - literally anywhere!

Food items that have made this move worthwhile for me :

Vanilla Cherry Dr Pepper (yes all together), Cherry coke, big salads, even bigger drinks and dark chocolate m &m's.

Suprisingly I lost weight the first two weeks - mainly as i had yet to discover most of the above. I could probably spend another hour letting you all know about me - but most of you I'm sure just want to see pictures of Jackson. Well you will have to wait - I don't have any uploaded - you can trust me that he is still super cute. He is talking lots more - well saying words. He repeats everything and his favorite word is "Please" which sounds like "PEEEEAAASSSS" as he is normally so excited to be getting food, next fav word would have to be "No" and others he is saying are "Pretty" (he says this very clearly), "Apple", "Bubba" (Joy's dog) "Molly" (Bob's dog), Paw Paw, so these new words added to his current vocabulary makes a total of 20 words. I have no idea if this is great, average or poor - but I know he understands a whole lot too. Especially as at 15 months he figured out "uh oh" means he needs to run away before mum puts his nose on the wall for time out (we don't sit as he thinks sitting is being good and will sit to open a treat or to put his shoes and socks on before going outside), and he knows how to undo his seatbelt and anything in a shinny wrapper is a treat to say "PEEEEAAAASSSS" over and over and over throughout an entire shopping expedition until Granny gives in and lets him have a cookie.

You know your child is growing up when you have to order a decaf cappachino along side your own order - and when your child tries to make you feel better with hugs and kisses when you are sad, or blows you a kiss when going bye bye. At 15 months I feel Jackson is more like a two year old than just past one. I love him more and more with each passing day, and have really enjoyed being able to spend this great time with him, much more than when he was an infant. He now navigates stairs with ease and will run after the wind and laugh out loud so hard it will make you laugh too.

Tim and Caz I wish you could see your God son in all his glory this Easter, we are missing you guys and our "traditional" Easter camp out. Hope things have eased up for you all with work and hugs and kisses to Baby Kate on her first Easter!

To Mahind and all her family, I hope you read this and know that each and every day your gentle smiles and loving ways have been missed greatly by me and Jackson. Love you all.

Mum and Dad and Pearl : what can I say? Love is where life takes you - and mine has taken me back here, and for now we will enjoy our new adventure for all it can be.

I hope to get some pictures up soon!

Where everybody knows your name...

Remember this place?

I generally go for a long walk around Boston every other day and most times end up lost. This picture was taken during one of those walks.

I arrived just over a week ago and have been non-stop since I got here. I have looked at a couple apartments but they were overpriced and quite small. No worries. I think I haven given myself enough time to hold out for something decent.

The B&B I am staying at is a really nice, big house in Somerville. There havent been too many other guests so I have the house to share with the owner and her two kids. They have been very nice company.

Christal and Jackson are doing well and staying and Dad and Vicki's for now. I think the plan is for her to go stay with Mom soon and also pay another visit to Matt and Sharon's.

Here is Jackson riding a car at Paw Paw's house. He is much taller since I saw him last!


My new number is: 617-909-2688
I also have an 870 number: 870-365-2923

I will give that phone to Christal soon so she has a phone as well.

More to come...

:)