4th Birthday down under

Thank you to everyone who sent me cards and birthday wishes. And a big thank you to my mum and dad who sent me the beautifully made cot cover. Which for those of you who came to our wedding, by notice it is made from the bunting we had up at on our wedding day and to Bill and Sue for my yummy mummy outfit.

New cot cover 

 

After a lovely long skype with Anna I had a quiet but lovely and relaxing birthday, just what I needed before the arrival of baby Farrell.

On Saturday Mark treated me to a day spa treatment and lunch at the White House in Handoff. Yesterday I had my haircut and my nails done, but relaxing in front of a girlie film and dinner out to Windy Point.  

The birthday Girl

 

The birthday meal with a view

The meal.

Mark had raw meat and egg for starter followed by lamb. I had belly of pork followed by the fish. 

2013 Down Under

As a cricket widow this afternoon, I thought it would give me a chance to review my blog from 2013 and see what we’ve done in the last 12 months.

2013 began at Lake Elidon with terrible hangovers, following a random New Years Eve party and a 10-hour drive back to Adelaide once hangovers had been cured.

January saw me move into my 30s with a fantastic weekend to the Barossa Valley Wine region, even though my birthday present of a hot air balloon ride never happened, due to bad weather. We continue to try for 6 months but when I fell pregnant this had to stop. Never mind, maybe I will get it for my 40^th. Instead of a hot air balloon ride Mark bought the ring to complete my set.

In Feburary and March we enjoyed the annual Adelaide Fridge Festival and the Future Music Festival where we saw Ellie Goulding, Stone Roses and The Prodgy.

We also celebrated Ben’s (My Godson) first birthday.  This year has seen him grow so much. He is now walking and saying a few words now and then.  With all the things that he is learning, he still makes time for a hug with his godmother when she visits.

March 2013

December 2013

In March and April we escaped to the Eyre Peninsula for our Easter holiday. This was another of our long camping trips. This one however was far more relaxing than our Christmas trip, as we travelled less Km’s and spent more times relaxing and reading a good book.  I think my favourite camping sites were Coffin Bay and Memory Cove in the Port Lincoln National Park.  This holiday also saw Mark get the car stuck off road for the first time. This happened when driving around sand dunes in the Port Lincoln National Park.

Entertainment at Coffin Bay included sand castle making and learning how to place Kubb.

Memory Cove

The car is stuck

In late April we enjoyed a weekend visitor from NSW.

Dayna

In May we celebrated our third wedding anniversary and found out that I was pregnant and I ran my first guide camp as leader in charge.

Camp is over

In June we enjoyed our last camping trip along the Goog’s track with Lynne and Michael.

July saw us begin the big job of getting ready for our new arrival and after months of work and preparation I am glad to say that we are almost there. I just need to cook some meals for the freezer now. I have a feeling that this may be my job next week.

Baby’s Room

Claire 37 Weeks – 4^th January 2013

August saw Mark move into his 30’s and to celebrate we spent the weekend in the McLean Vale and he had a ride in a Tiger Month plane.

At the end of September we sadly had to see our dear friend Kate return to the UK. We now look forward to catching up with her in 2014, during our own trip home.

In October we welcomed our friend Jane to the land down under and spent a week with her in Melbourne and along the great ocean road.

To round October off Mark became a cow for one night, as we attended a Halloween fancy dress party.

November was spent in full swing with the baby preparation, my friend Liz held a baby shower for me and Mark tried to grow a moustache for Movember.

December saw the beginning of the Christmas festivities begin. With a work trip for me to the Barossa Valley, Mark spent the day at the cricket with Jason, I finished work on Christmas Eve and we had an overall relaxing Christmas and New Year.

To endings and new beginnings

My first day as a stay at home begins today, after making Mark breakfast and waving him goodbye. I started the only way I know how, thanks to my mum. The first day of term mum would always clean the house whilst we were in school, so this is whether I begun. Though it’s a slow process, as my body will only allow me to do so much. It  is also helping me, in my need today in keeping busy.

I only wish my first day at home would have started on a more happy note, but unfortunately it hasn’t. It is with deepest regret that I have to tell you that my young colleague Nic passed away yesterday from respiratory failure. Nic was a humble, talented young man. Who taught me more that I could have imagined in the 7 months we worked together.  Nic was part of our very small Occupational Therapy Team at Guide Dogs SA and was diagnosed with Leukaemia in March 2013. He fought the Leukaemia fearlessly and was back with us part time in October 2013, but sadly was taken ill with an unknown lung infection at the end of November 2013. He sadly lost his courageous fight surrounded by loving family on New Years Day.  Nic is a young man who has impacted my life greatly and I will never forget him. His spirit for live and inspiration to help people will live on forever.

Today has made me realise the import things in life and my new years resolution is to live life to the fullest and to treasure the import things in life.