Hayzey has two new tricks.
She has started saying Da Da.
She can climb into her little cane seat by herself.
On top of this she has started spontaenously standing up by herself (unsupported) and we think the first steps aren't too far away.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Central Coast
The good clan Jones made our way up to the Central Coast over the weekend and had a few nights in a little cabin by the beach. Nice to get out of Sydney and wake up to the sounds of waves on the beach and birds on the trees.
We went up to the coast on Saturday straight after swimming lessons. First stop was Avoca Beach. Hayzey was fascinated by the whole thing - pointing at the water and making all sorts of excited sounds. LGR was cautious - wouldn't go near the water but was quite happy to play in the sand.
From here we drove to Terrigal for lunch. Five years ago I thought Terrigal was a great place - but now I think it's overpriced and wanky. We had some lunch on the beach and then walked up some sort of hill (backwards while watching cricket). LGR managed to walk up the whole thing, much to my surprise. He loved coming back down - I think he ran the whole way in a zigzag patter.
From Terrigal it was off to our accommodation at Bateau Bay. We checked in and very shortly discovered that we'd been charged for a certain type of cabin but had received something of a lesser standard. Mrs G had a quick chat with reception and we were off to our new cabin - which was much more in line with what we had in mind.
We didn't do much for the rest of the day - we bought some supplies for breakfasts and dinners and went for a swim in the pool. And it was a very nice pool - saltwater and around 26-28 degrees. Gorgeous. LGR loved it, and even managed to make a friend. We ran into LGR's friend several times over the next two days.
Hayzey, as it turns out, loves water even more than LGR. She was grinning from ear to ear and making some very excited noises. Her little legs would kick endlessly and whenever she got a chance she would splash water onto her face or even dunk her face into the water. I put her under the water a few times and this didn't phase her at all.
The kiddies went to sleep very easily, but woke up at about 05:00 on Sunday morning. I went for a run (thru the bush on the cliff tops) and by 07:30 we were breakfast'd and in the pool (again). After a while Mrs G and Hayzey went back to the cabin and LGR and I had a crack at the beach. He didn't like it; so we went back to the pool and met up with his friend again.
By 10:00 we were on our way up to The Entrance. I like The Entrance. It's much more open and accesssible. We meandered around the town square part of town for a while looking at stuff and playing games and had a little picnic lunch while listening to some live music.
After lunch it was a drive to let the kids have some sleep (they were both knackered) and then back to the cabin for a quick change and into the pool again. Once more LGR's little mate arrived and they played together for about 90 minutes. LGR had the foresight to take two noodles to the pool and was thrilled that his newfound mate enjoyed playing.
After the pool we went back to the cabin and had showers. While Mrs G and Hayzey played inside LGR and I jumped in the (outdoor) spa that came with the cabin and sang songs. It was very sweet, and probably the highlight of the trip for me. We then all went for a walk on the beach. LGR was still scared of the waves but we managed to coax him out onto some rocks in the water (it was low tide) and we all had a nice (but careful) game clambering about on the rocks.
Once again the kids were in bed pretty easy and Mrs G took advantage of this to jump in the spa. It was very nice - just under 40 degrees, sheltered from wind but with views of surrounding bush and a perfectly clear night sky. Very nice, very relaxing.
Monday was our last day. The morning thing was again to get up very early, have some breakfast and go for a swim. It was a bit chilly, but the pool was still warm. As long as you stayed in the water :-) LGR's little mate wasn't in the pool this time and the poor little chap was hearbroken. He wanted to 'play with my little friend' and was very upset that he wouldn't get to say goodbye :-(
We checked out at 10:00 and went home via Ourimbah (Mrs G wanted to see some stuff there). Both kids were awake all the way along the freeway and chattered the whole time.
All in all it was a nice little break - the type of thing we'll have to try to do more often.
We went up to the coast on Saturday straight after swimming lessons. First stop was Avoca Beach. Hayzey was fascinated by the whole thing - pointing at the water and making all sorts of excited sounds. LGR was cautious - wouldn't go near the water but was quite happy to play in the sand.
From here we drove to Terrigal for lunch. Five years ago I thought Terrigal was a great place - but now I think it's overpriced and wanky. We had some lunch on the beach and then walked up some sort of hill (backwards while watching cricket). LGR managed to walk up the whole thing, much to my surprise. He loved coming back down - I think he ran the whole way in a zigzag patter.
From Terrigal it was off to our accommodation at Bateau Bay. We checked in and very shortly discovered that we'd been charged for a certain type of cabin but had received something of a lesser standard. Mrs G had a quick chat with reception and we were off to our new cabin - which was much more in line with what we had in mind.
We didn't do much for the rest of the day - we bought some supplies for breakfasts and dinners and went for a swim in the pool. And it was a very nice pool - saltwater and around 26-28 degrees. Gorgeous. LGR loved it, and even managed to make a friend. We ran into LGR's friend several times over the next two days.
Hayzey, as it turns out, loves water even more than LGR. She was grinning from ear to ear and making some very excited noises. Her little legs would kick endlessly and whenever she got a chance she would splash water onto her face or even dunk her face into the water. I put her under the water a few times and this didn't phase her at all.
The kiddies went to sleep very easily, but woke up at about 05:00 on Sunday morning. I went for a run (thru the bush on the cliff tops) and by 07:30 we were breakfast'd and in the pool (again). After a while Mrs G and Hayzey went back to the cabin and LGR and I had a crack at the beach. He didn't like it; so we went back to the pool and met up with his friend again.
By 10:00 we were on our way up to The Entrance. I like The Entrance. It's much more open and accesssible. We meandered around the town square part of town for a while looking at stuff and playing games and had a little picnic lunch while listening to some live music.
After lunch it was a drive to let the kids have some sleep (they were both knackered) and then back to the cabin for a quick change and into the pool again. Once more LGR's little mate arrived and they played together for about 90 minutes. LGR had the foresight to take two noodles to the pool and was thrilled that his newfound mate enjoyed playing.
After the pool we went back to the cabin and had showers. While Mrs G and Hayzey played inside LGR and I jumped in the (outdoor) spa that came with the cabin and sang songs. It was very sweet, and probably the highlight of the trip for me. We then all went for a walk on the beach. LGR was still scared of the waves but we managed to coax him out onto some rocks in the water (it was low tide) and we all had a nice (but careful) game clambering about on the rocks.
Once again the kids were in bed pretty easy and Mrs G took advantage of this to jump in the spa. It was very nice - just under 40 degrees, sheltered from wind but with views of surrounding bush and a perfectly clear night sky. Very nice, very relaxing.
Monday was our last day. The morning thing was again to get up very early, have some breakfast and go for a swim. It was a bit chilly, but the pool was still warm. As long as you stayed in the water :-) LGR's little mate wasn't in the pool this time and the poor little chap was hearbroken. He wanted to 'play with my little friend' and was very upset that he wouldn't get to say goodbye :-(
We checked out at 10:00 and went home via Ourimbah (Mrs G wanted to see some stuff there). Both kids were awake all the way along the freeway and chattered the whole time.
All in all it was a nice little break - the type of thing we'll have to try to do more often.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Miscellaneous
Hiya Everybody
I've been very, very slack again. There's been a few things going on and I've neglected to share the news with everyone. Naught, naughty me.
I'll start with the party of 3's - I turned 30 and LGR turned 3. To answer everyone's questions I feel great about being 30 and I don't believe I'm over the hill. Life is not any different and I don't have any more grey hairs.
The day was good. Mrs Gazzarus and myself were up from about 02:00 in the morning - because Hayzey thought this was a good idea. At the least it made my day longer. Mrs G and myself alos both had developing headcolds and to top it off my wisdom teeth were moving again.
But never mind - party's to have. We ordered a jumping castle for LGR and his mates. When it was being blown up LGR didn't want to know about it, and didn't go near it for about an hour. Then other kiddies started to arrive and we couldn't keep them off it.
I seemed to spend most of the first hour chatting, then most of the second hour cooking up a BBQ. I got a bunch of meat from a pretty good butcher; but the chicken sausages (which are usually pretty good) were crap. Sorry about that folks. Suffice to say they have been scratched from the shopping list.
Any way - as with most party's it all happened in a blur. I think I got to chat to everyone. There were presents everywhere, kids everywhere, noise everywhere.
LGR cried when the jumping castle was taken away.
----
----
What else? I formally accepted the new job offer. This means I will now be working 5 days a week in more or less standard business hours. No more shift work - which is good.
----
----
Gifts. I got heaps of gifts.
In order that I received them:
My Dad gave me a Flash player. To quote LGR - "It's tops". Unfortunately there was a little software bug which meant the songs downloaded to the player were truncated - the last 10s dropped off. One firmware upgrade later and that problem is solved. I have mobile music :-)
My roasting tray from Mrs G. This probably doesn't seem like a big deal to most people but I was thrilled. I've never had a fair dinkum heavy duty roasting tray with a roasting rack. It's been used to make a roast chook with potatoes cooked in the drippings. It was very good. The tray only just fits in the oven - if it was 2mm wider it wouldn't get in at all. Would've needed to get a bigger oven (or a new kitchen, or house) to use my tray :-)
Grandma (aka Mrs G's Mum) gave me breadmaker. It is so nice to effortlessly cook fresh bread and it smells amazing. All I have to do now is figure out where to get strong flour and different flour mixes. And become creative.
My Mum gave me the most personal gift - and the one with the most thought and meaning. It was a pictorial diary of my life. From when I was a newby kid up until pretty much now. I had an inkling it was coming (hard to keep a project of this magnitude quiet) but still found myself a little teary when receiving it.
----
----
We're going for a trip away soon. Via the Internet we've managed to score ourselves an absolute beachfront cabin (all that is between us and the water is sand - apparently) which has an indoor spa, outdoor jacuzzi (sp?) and who knows what else. Best of all it's not in Sydney. Very keen, very looking forward to it.
----
----
The kids. How can I forget the kids? They're great. Both are getting along like a house on fire. Hayzey is cruising everywhere, babbling incessantly and pointing at everything. She is eating just about everything she sees and not sleeping beyond daylight. She smiles and giggles alot and likes a bit adventure in her life. She's not scared of anything yet.
Strangely enough Hayzey has learnt how to headbutt things. Mrs G and myself saw herself sitting on the backdoors (leading to the dock) a few days back rocking back and forth and tapping her head on the glass door. This wasn't enough however. She turned around, got an all fours and started to rock her body back and forth - and in the process whacking her head into the door. She was laughing while doing it!!
LGR is learning something every day and still files away everything he sees and hears. Sometimes he doesn't understand - but then a few days later he'll make a comment and you realise that he's remembered. He is currently wearing a spiked haircuit - courtesy of an overly enthusiastic hairdresses. It looks very cool when done up properly.
The best part of the new haircut is that it prompted to say he looked like me. I don't hear this too often, and it made me happy.
I've been very, very slack again. There's been a few things going on and I've neglected to share the news with everyone. Naught, naughty me.
I'll start with the party of 3's - I turned 30 and LGR turned 3. To answer everyone's questions I feel great about being 30 and I don't believe I'm over the hill. Life is not any different and I don't have any more grey hairs.
The day was good. Mrs Gazzarus and myself were up from about 02:00 in the morning - because Hayzey thought this was a good idea. At the least it made my day longer. Mrs G and myself alos both had developing headcolds and to top it off my wisdom teeth were moving again.
But never mind - party's to have. We ordered a jumping castle for LGR and his mates. When it was being blown up LGR didn't want to know about it, and didn't go near it for about an hour. Then other kiddies started to arrive and we couldn't keep them off it.
I seemed to spend most of the first hour chatting, then most of the second hour cooking up a BBQ. I got a bunch of meat from a pretty good butcher; but the chicken sausages (which are usually pretty good) were crap. Sorry about that folks. Suffice to say they have been scratched from the shopping list.
Any way - as with most party's it all happened in a blur. I think I got to chat to everyone. There were presents everywhere, kids everywhere, noise everywhere.
LGR cried when the jumping castle was taken away.
----
----
What else? I formally accepted the new job offer. This means I will now be working 5 days a week in more or less standard business hours. No more shift work - which is good.
----
----
Gifts. I got heaps of gifts.
In order that I received them:
My Dad gave me a Flash player. To quote LGR - "It's tops". Unfortunately there was a little software bug which meant the songs downloaded to the player were truncated - the last 10s dropped off. One firmware upgrade later and that problem is solved. I have mobile music :-)
My roasting tray from Mrs G. This probably doesn't seem like a big deal to most people but I was thrilled. I've never had a fair dinkum heavy duty roasting tray with a roasting rack. It's been used to make a roast chook with potatoes cooked in the drippings. It was very good. The tray only just fits in the oven - if it was 2mm wider it wouldn't get in at all. Would've needed to get a bigger oven (or a new kitchen, or house) to use my tray :-)
Grandma (aka Mrs G's Mum) gave me breadmaker. It is so nice to effortlessly cook fresh bread and it smells amazing. All I have to do now is figure out where to get strong flour and different flour mixes. And become creative.
My Mum gave me the most personal gift - and the one with the most thought and meaning. It was a pictorial diary of my life. From when I was a newby kid up until pretty much now. I had an inkling it was coming (hard to keep a project of this magnitude quiet) but still found myself a little teary when receiving it.
----
----
We're going for a trip away soon. Via the Internet we've managed to score ourselves an absolute beachfront cabin (all that is between us and the water is sand - apparently) which has an indoor spa, outdoor jacuzzi (sp?) and who knows what else. Best of all it's not in Sydney. Very keen, very looking forward to it.
----
----
The kids. How can I forget the kids? They're great. Both are getting along like a house on fire. Hayzey is cruising everywhere, babbling incessantly and pointing at everything. She is eating just about everything she sees and not sleeping beyond daylight. She smiles and giggles alot and likes a bit adventure in her life. She's not scared of anything yet.
Strangely enough Hayzey has learnt how to headbutt things. Mrs G and myself saw herself sitting on the backdoors (leading to the dock) a few days back rocking back and forth and tapping her head on the glass door. This wasn't enough however. She turned around, got an all fours and started to rock her body back and forth - and in the process whacking her head into the door. She was laughing while doing it!!
LGR is learning something every day and still files away everything he sees and hears. Sometimes he doesn't understand - but then a few days later he'll make a comment and you realise that he's remembered. He is currently wearing a spiked haircuit - courtesy of an overly enthusiastic hairdresses. It looks very cool when done up properly.
The best part of the new haircut is that it prompted to say he looked like me. I don't hear this too often, and it made me happy.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
A new job
Hi All
It's finally happened. I've gone out and found myself a new job.
My last day with my 'beloved' present company is 2nd November. The new gig kicks off on the 7th.
What will I be doing? I'm not entirely sure; but in a nutshell it boils down to IP comms for a pretty big company's corporate and broadcast systems. There are many interesting challenges to be had and many things to be learnt.
It's finally happened. I've gone out and found myself a new job.
My last day with my 'beloved' present company is 2nd November. The new gig kicks off on the 7th.
What will I be doing? I'm not entirely sure; but in a nutshell it boils down to IP comms for a pretty big company's corporate and broadcast systems. There are many interesting challenges to be had and many things to be learnt.
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