Nana & Mumpa are here!

Julian and I travelled to Melbourne for a pre-Christmas visit with Oliver (and family). We flew over on Friday morning, catching up with everyone shortly after lunch. Oliver greeted us with big smiles, cuddles and kisses. It wasn't long before I was grasped by the finger and taken through every room in the house, as well as a tour of the back garden.

Julian and I will be on a road trip for Christmas, so we thought it would be good to take the Olimonster to Toys-R-Us to choose his Christmas gifts. Oliver loved the freedom to explore, but would most likely have been happiest to take home the cages holding the balls, or the fire extinguisher by the emergency door.

We ended the evening by sharing a meal with Damien, Jax and Oliver in their Melbourne home, entertained by Oliver on his new drum.

The next day we visited the Melbourne Aquarium, a brilliant place to face the wildest creatures of the deep. Oliver LOVED the King Penguins, talking to them through the glass and laughing as they swam like bullets through the water.

The other exhibits proved to be just a bit too overwhelming..."I cared!" cried Oliver, as he buried his face in my shoulder. "You shouldn't be scared" said I..."Nana will keep you safe." But the fish were big (especially the sharks) and Oliver found it best not to make eye contact. The best part of the aquarium for Oliver was the fire extinguisher (again) and the fire emergency door handles (OPEN ONLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATION...no Oliver...wait, wait...!).

Sunday was Melbourne Zoo day. Jacki came along as well. We started with a nice lunch together at a pub along the way. Grandpa (Mumpa) followed Oliver while he explored each room of the pub. The place filled up quickly and soon Oliver was competing with a stage stealing pink fairy girl, singing with a magic wand that changed colours (if you have to resort to props, you really don't possess the talent...).

The Zoo was fantastic! I guess we all ran out of steam far before covering the grounds with the desired level of appreciation (remember yesterday??). Jax had several precious moments with the spiders (her secret love) and Oliver paid homage to the elephants.

Of course, the day wouldn't be complete without the fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and buttons to push. Our little man slept like a puggle all the way home.

Damien transferred Oliver to his bed...I crept into his room to say goodbye, but he was quietly counting the stars.

Back in Melbourne

It's been a very long time since I've updated this site...things have changed. Damien, Jax and Oliver have moved to Preston Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne.

So the weekend Nana visits have ended...

I helped them shift, taking a few days off work to drive up with Oliver and Jacki in my car, Damien close by in the hire truck with Slim dog. Many friends in Melbourne welcomed Damien's family, providing temporary shelter and storage. When I left, Oliver was too busy making new friends to say goodbye to Nana.

I grabbed a room for the night, then drove back to Adelaide the next day and cried all the way home (it was raining and grey, the perfect setting for self pity...).

Although the initial reason for them moving back to Melbourne was for better work prospects, Damien has since been encouraged to complete a PHD...and it looks to be the popular choice.

After a few weeks, I returned for a visit and a million hugs from Oliver. We visited the Preston Markets, the local library, and had a great play in the back yard with Slim dog chasing the ball.
Oliver is growing into a beautiful young man with a great smile.

I'm counting on Damien and Jax to keep me updated with photos and significant milestones.

This is one cool little dude.

Back on Track!

Oliver is once again healthy and on the move!

It's so good to see that smiling little face and hear the squeals of excitement as he makes his way through each new day...and he's been a very busy little man.

Damien and Jax have prepared a lovely garden area in their backyard, and Oliver has been put to work.

No one can tap a seedling into place quite like Oliver can, smoothing the soil with his shovel, providing the first quenching drink from the water in his bucket.

He's a natural gardener, not afraid to eat a little dirt along the way.

Take the toys out, move them around, pack them away, take them out again...

the work is never-ending...

At the end of it all, there's nothing better than to pop into the jim-jams and enjoy

a cool cleansing beverage.

Every day brings something new and exciting...

...and Oliver just can't wait until tomorrow!

Clouds block the sun

I'm certain that there is nothing in the world that can make me feel more helpless than holding a sick child. Oliver is unwell...red, spotty, and feverish with a viral infection (measles).

Despite confirmed medical significance, this time my Nana kisses didn't work.

Through his red, weeping, swollen eyes, he smiled at me. His warm and limp little body felt so much smaller than usual. I pushed my finger into his small fist and he gripped it lightly. For the first time in his short life, my Oliver is quiet.
Not the usual little man who only sits still long enough to devour a cookie or two, entertaining me with funny faces and random songs between bites...not the same little guy who turns the pages faster than I can read them, or baits me for a chase by grabbing something prohibited and running down the hallway, or drops the remote into the dogs water dish, or pockets my fridge magnets when I'm not looking...

Nana is quarantined!

Last weekend Oliver planted this yellow flower in an existing pot on the front porch. He carefully placed all the little stones around the top after the dirt was in place. So why do I feel so sad when I water this little flower?

I'm sick this weekend and I can't be with Oliver.

I miss him.

Heysen misses him.

Grandpa misses him.

So, we wait...

And we wait...







and wait...







and wait...








and wait...






and wait...





until Nana is well again...








until then, there is nothing to celebrate...

With the hot summer out of the way, it's time to get outside and get things growing. While still too young to help weed the veggie garden, Oliver is developing his flower smelling skills.

He loves walking around the yard and exploring. I follow pretty close so I can catch him if he trips, but Oliver is proving to be quite steady on his feet

(even with Heysen and Slim Dog weaving around him...).

He especially likes Big Blue Frog who lives under the jasmine.

(Heysen is the chameleon...practically invisible...)

There are currently nine new teeth busting through right now, but Oliver doesn't complain much. I keep a supply of rusks in the cupboard for quick relief, but he much prefers a walk outside to take his attention elsewhere.

Nap time usually requires a few attempts to actually get Oliver horizontal. He likes to fall asleep to music (favourite is Michael Franti) so he won't consider lying down until something is playing.
I made the BIG mistake of playing Mamady Ijalit Keita's "African Drums" this past weekend...it was like a wild sugar hit! Damien has bongo drums that he plays for/with Oliver, and it obviously touched a nerve...this baby boy can DANCE!!!


In the end, its always that winning smile and naughty little monkey grin that gets Nana handing over the cookies.

Smooth, little man...real smooth...

Vacation time with the sweetest boy in town...

My workplace has been shut down for the week following Easter, presenting some prime time for Oliver during my favourite season. The blistering heat of summer has been replaced with beautiful warm sunny days and cool evenings.

What better time than this to take Ollie on his first bike ride?

I remember taking Damien for rides like this in Canada. He would clutch two GI Joe's in his hands as we rode along, then tuck them into the back of my pants when he got tired of holding them.


Jax was a little nervous as she watched us ride away...

Oliver and I stopped at a
play-ground a few blocks away and had some good fun.
The grass was green and soft so we did some running and chasing and falling down.

A few planes went overhead, so we stopped to watch them fly over.

We had a few fast rides down the big yellow slide ("slippery dip" in this part of the world!), and a swing together on the big person swing.


Spying the bike in the distance, Oliver suddenly decided we needed to get moving again. I was serenaded with a beautiful happy song all the way home.


We kept this ride short (since it was our first) but next time we may ride all the way to Auntie Louise's house for a visit...

or...

maybe along the river to feed the ducks...

or...

maybe back to Nana's house for a play with Heysen and Grandpa...

who knows?


It's all Heaven to me...

End of February 2009: A Nice Day Together

Weekends for a working Nana are filled with anticipation.


Chances are pretty good that Oliver can come out to play...


On this particular Saturday, we had a few hours together while Damien and Jax had some time out. We headed to the small park next to the river and had fun on the playground. We took the long way home so we could see the ducks under the bridge.

Back home we kicked back and had a few refreshing rice biscuits and a drink of juice.

Heysen grabs pole position whenever Oliver is eating. I never have to sweep the floor.

Oliver and Heysen get on very well. Jax and Damien have pets as well - Slim Dog and Fat Kitty - so Oliver is very relaxed around animals. Nana also has a green tree frog (Houdini) and two colourful budgies (Bish and Margaret) so there is plenty to look at and talk about.

Now zipping along on his own two feet, this little man is checking out

everything..

Grandpa's office, potted plants, the dogs water dish, electrical cords, CD towers, TV remotes, stereo buttons, book shelves, carpet lint, drawers, cupboard doors, toilets, steps, leaves, lamps, curtains, even hallway echos...

Not only cute, he's a genius

Oliver is ONE!

I arrived early for the birthday party so I was around to see Damien and Jax wake Oliver for the big event. He's always a happy boy when waking from a nap, and this day looked especially cool in his board shorts.

As the crowds gathered, it was a bit confusing.

Best present of the day is a pool for the backyard. No hesitation from Oliver...wet and wild is the theme of the day.

Jax made a great banana cake with cream cheese icing...yummmmm!

This one year has been amazing.

Now heading for Oliver's first birthday!

November 2008: On my feet, enjoying my freedom!

December 2008: Cruisin' in my ride...

Christmas 2008: It's been a great year!

The Heart Bandit

A beautiful little boy with a great smile and big hugs!

January 11th will be Oliver's first birthday.

What was life like before?

Little Man growing every day

August 2008: Baby tigers keep warm during Adelaide winter!
September 2008: Food from a spoon...an interesting concept...











October 2008: This is getting fun...I can transport myself by sliding along on my belly.
Not very quick yet, but I've got a training plan...