GoMA

This was our third session at GoMA’s Toddler Tuesday. Like I’ve perviously written, it’s a fantastic free program run by the Gallery of Modern Art for toddlers — I only wish that we could sign up to more than one class per term. If you live in Brisbane or are planning to visit, I’d highly recommend booking a class. They are super popular so you have to get in early, but they’re definitely worth it. 

The focus of this session was on using recycled goods to create sculptures and artwork. After exploring the gallery, the kids each made their own crowns from recycled paper in order to create something “precious”. Eva, of course, enjoyed making her own little master piece, but was a little more focused on visiting the dinosaurs in the museum building next door! 

20 February 25 Permalink

Dear Baby Boy,

Your mummy, big sister and I are anxiously and somewhat impatiently waiting to meet you. Your big sister will spontaneously give mummy’s belly a hug and tell you “I love you, baby”. And you seem to be trying to kick your way out of your mummy’s belly, so I guess you are excited to meet us too. 

You are going to grow up in such in a different world that I did.

When I was a little boy, my daddy called me son. He was very proud of his boys, your uncle Joey and me. He took us to play baseball in the summer, soccer in the fall, and basketball in the winter. And the Super Bowl was as good as any holiday. Fajitas, tamales guacamole were home-cooking. We drove all day and all night to get to the beach. We had squirrels and blue jays and just before sundown, you would hear the whippoorwill sing.

I already call you mate. You might play cricket in the summer and Aussie Rules in the fall. And we will look forward to the Grand Final and beating the Poms in the Ashes. We’ll occasionally cook up a juicy kangaroo steak dry-rubbed with bush spices (much to your mother’s dismay!), and we will never be more than an hour from some of the best beaches in the world. Noisy lorikeets will wake us up every morning, and even in the city, you will hear the cackle of the kookaburra. 

But, one thing has not changed: I am so proud of you.

Love,

Daddy

………………………………………………………..

Milestones: 28 weeks, the third trimester

Gender: Boy! 

Name: We are still not set on a name and for now lovingly refer to you as “baby boy”. Somehow nothing we have come up with so far really seems to stick. I guess we will have just have to wait to meet you and see what fits best.

Cravings: Pop corn, nectarines, salted chocolate ice-cream

Highlights: Tiny kicks, folding tiny newborn clothes

Lowlights: Braxton Hicks contractions

19 February 42 Permalink

A Little Inspiration for the Baby Boy

While the baby boy will be inheriting furniture from Eva — the Cot and a chest of drawers — I’ve been busy hunting done some new accessories to make a little space just for him. 

Resources: Leander Cot, Oliver Jeffers’ Print, Little Hip Squeaks Braided Ikat Print Blanket, Old Wire Basket, Blabla Kids’ Wooly Sheep, Blabla Cat Rattle, Alimrose Monkey Squeaker, Robin and Mould Pillow, Wesley Bird Print, DwellStudio Felt Garland, Urban Outfitters Zigzag Rug

13 February 19 Permalink

Valentine’s

Last week I sheepishly messaged a couple of friends of mine who have girls around the same age as Eva. Not wanting to sound weird or too “American” — which I’m often accused of despite being Australian — and invited them over for a Valentine’s themed playdate. 

While Australians tend to celebrate the “big” holidays — Christmas and Easter — it’s not uncommon to hear people complain about other holidays being overly “commercialised” or “Americanised”. Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a date night with complimentary flowers and chocolate but not to the extent as it is in the States. Kids don’t create little mail boxes to be filled with cards and goodies from classmates and only recently have shops started decorating their windows in theme. 

But as a kid what’s not to love about celebrating all the holidays — presents, crafting, fun decorations and an excuse for a little party? So here it is, Eva’s Sunday morning Valentine’s party playdate with Ruby and Avalon.

Not wanting to fill them up on too much sugar, they ate croissants, fresh fruit and milk from mini-glass bottles. And later engaged in obligatory crafting — card creating, crown making and cookie cutting. 

Mmm… chocolate filled raspberry macrons. 

DIY Giant Geometric Wall Heart — via Oleander and Palm.

Mangled heart-shaped cookies.

And an attempt at getting a shot of all the girls together.

12 February 45 Permalink

Imagination

Eva’s imagination runs wild constantly. She makes two yogurt packages at the bottom of the shopping trolley say hello to each other  and then rescue one another when the become trapped under various other groceries. My yoga mat is at various times a train or a boat or a car or a plane. There’s an orange monster in “Nanna’s room” which Eva uses a wand to exorcise with the chant “Ding, go away monster!” She “wrote” the letter T with two carrot sticks announcing proudly, “It’s a T!” She imitates Johnny and me working declaring that “She’s busy!” (cue mummy guilt pangs!) Her new Melbourne tram has suffered multiple wild animal and dinosaur attacks losing the majority of its passengers. And all of her toys maintain highly active social lives with each other.

The cuddly little bundle of joy has been replaced by a headstrong, somewhat wilful and independently-minded toddler, but she is not in the least bit less loveable or cute.

Other recent conversations that have made us laugh:

Eva: “Daddy and Eva fixed it. We made it”

Me: “This is the baby’s bed.”

Eva: ”No, it’s Eva’s bed”

Me: ”Where is the baby going to sleep?”

Eva: ”In nanna’s room” (spare room)

Me: ”Don’t you like your new bed (meaning in her room)?”

Eva: ”Yes, I like the gates (meaning the cot).”

Dino: “Raaa! Dinosaur Rex! Stomp, stomp! I’m going to eat you! Stomp, stomp! i’m going to bite you!

Cow: Oh no, stop! 

Dino: CHOMP! Delicious!

7 February 30 Permalink

Eva’s Toddler Room

The morning before we transformed Eva’s toddler bed back into a cot for her soon-to-be baby brother, I went around and quickly snapped a few shots. It seems silly at times to write about being emotional attached to certain objects and material things, but for me this room marks a special period of time. A time when my daughter was still small enough to fit into a tiny toddler bed. A time when she was still young enough to let me pick out her pink bedding. A time when it was just the three of us.

I guess in someways, it’s not the material object of her toddler bed that has me so emotion, but what this change represents. Or it could be that I’m simply pregnant, over emotional and over analysing everything! 

So without further analysis, here is a little peak into Eva’s room:

If you are interested in any of the details, you might find the information in some previous posts here or here — otherwise, just leave a comment. 

6 February 35 Permalink