2 months old today

Smiles are flashing to his brother, sister, Tata, Babcia and mother. Ambrose is amused by the constant battles of his siblings. He enjoys sleeping in his hammock during he day and sleeping beside Michael and I during the evenings. I am in love with a rolly polly lovely baby aaaaaah

Easter 2011

We arrive at Sylwia and Lech's home for a family dinner of fish and vegetables as is tradition for Good Friday. The warmth of company and the comfort of familiarity embodies us all. Ambrose is cared for by Sylwia with pure grandmotherly love while Michael and I enjoy our meal. Felix and Matilda draw, read and play happily throughout the afternoon. With only hours of light left for the day we head to Wattle Park for a dusk walk joined by Lech and then head home. Saturday morning eggs are boiling with onion and the assortment of meats salt flowers bread a lamb and eggs are collected for our basket. After we all assemble the basket we head to Oakleigh Church to have it blessed. A stream of people are arriving and departing from the church clutching their basket. Huge matcho men hold petit delicate baskets, children proudly place their baskets at the alter, one basket even has a bottle of vodka. After the blessing we flow from the church and say a few hellos and head for an afternoon of catch up with old friends.

A fire burns brightly at the front of StBenedicts Church. Felix and Matilda hold unlighted candles anticipating their lighting. We parade into the church and enjoy hours of candle light singing and readings. Felix, Matilda and Ambrose sleep soundly in the car all the way home.

Sunday morning starts with panic. Michael yells "I can see Easter eggs on the rock". Matilda and Felix jump from their beds and run out into the garden. Eggs are everywhere.Felix and Matilda walk together holding their basket. Felix is quick to run and grab the more obvious eggs while Tilda is a little more pacient to collect eggs over looked by Felix. After the egg hunt Felix and Matilda sit together to divi up the loot without any parental direction. This process is wonderfully smooth and fair much to Michael and my delight.

We travel to Mt.Martha to spend a wonderful day with my parents and grandparents. The Easter bunny had also dropped a few eggs at my parents farm. Our day is filled with much food, easy flowing conversation and four generations of knitting. Michael is taught to knit by my grandmother while Felix knits happily with my mother.

Easter Monday is wet with Smingle Dingles. Felix and Michael hunt down my father who asks them with a smile to take that tradition back to Poland! after a gayful breakfast we head to Cape Shank for a 6km walk to and from Bushranger Bay. Felix and Matilda walked so well. Heading home Michael and I chatted about our next day walk, hike and Easter for the next year.......

Matilda March 2011 Art

1. Splatter Art completed at Felix's aftercare. Matilda wanted to join in.

2. Water colour Red apple done at Home

3. Muddled Headed Wombat drawn by Michael painted by Matilda using water colours. Inspired by a favourite book.

Felix early 2011 art

We make so much craft and I have been wondering what to do with it. Many wise friends have provided me with some inspiration. Firstly i need to remember it is "the process not the product" and secondly why don't you take photos and document the craft that way. So here goes ..... (iPhone blogging a little limited for uploading need to find a better app)

A big sister hug

Ambrose is lucky to have such a devoted big sister. He can be sleeping, crying, feeding, having a nappy change or on the sling and Matilda will ask can I have a cuddle. Ambrose doesn't seem so keen on the loving wet sloppy kisses and is managing to push away!

Body recovery

A pregnancy will take a toll on your body. I have gain weight 20kg, lost muscle tone and acquired new aches and pains (but undoubtedly it is totally worth it).
A bout of mastitis knocked me around for a day and I continue to bleed and may need an ultrasound later in the week to investigate the cause.
My osteopath has prescribed some stretching and light walking till my 6 week appointment. After this time we decided that cycling and paddling were best low impact sports to see me out for the year. I will return to canoe polo after Easter and hit a spinning class or two as well as try the road bike. I feel a little nervous but will be happy to be exercising again.

We are a Pentily

We have settled in being a family of five. Matilda and Felix are relishing their roles of being Ambrose's big sister and brother. Yesterday Michael and I were getting dinner ready and Ambrose became unsettled and needed a cuddle. Felix and Tilda took it in turns to hold, rock and pat his bottom. It worked really well unless they started to argue.
We have also started to commute using our bikes. Ambrose has been to school and kinder sleeping soundly in the capsule and happy as long as we don't stop and don't get too bouncy.
I am loving sharing this time with my children and wish I could have remembered how I helped my mum with my brother when he was born.
I am so excited that we have a bigger family and can see the similarities and the unique qualities and attributes that each of my children possess.