rolling eating moving sniffling

Look at this great chair we found...so now little chicken can eat with us, enjoy afternoon tea and stare blankly out the window waiting for a butterfly to flutter by. He doesn't like pumpkin or sweet potato (I'm devastated)...but I have worked out that when I mix it with rice cereal he is none the wiser. But sometimes he does look at me as if to say: "What in the world are you feeding me Mum?"
Poor little thing has just experienced his first cold - oh a snotty nose, a sniffle, watery eyes and lots of whinging. And then Daddy had to go and get sick too so you can imagine how fun our house has been for the last few days. Luckily Daddy's new projector arrived and we have been watching movies on the big white wall in our bedroom (I was hoping to hang a few pics up but I think I've lost the opportunity now). And thank goodness for olive leaf extract...it ensured a quick recovery for all of us (the pumpkin soup, lemon & honey tea and cuddles worked too).
And before you start thinking that we've just been lying about all week watching movies...look at this little mover. Yes, rolling under the table - rolling everywhere actually. We're bracing ourselves for the big move, the big crawl and I am transforming our home into a baby-friendly haven - trying my best to keep it looking beautiful without sacrificing Che's safety. I'm hoping this is the last post that will mention illness for a while...because it is only April and although it is autumn I would like a healthy winter please.

birthday kisses

Look at Chéby sitting up so nicely and leaning towards me, ready to share birthday kisses. He has been a little bit of a monster the last few days. Everyone told me that his sleep patterns may change when he gets to 6 months (his awareness heightens) but I was convinced my great little sleeper wouldn't budge from his routine. However, the night before my birthday he was awake at midnight, wide-eyed and ready to play. Yippee! I'm not talking about a bit of wakefulness - no, I walked into his room, he squealed in delight, started kicking his legs and flapping his arms. "It's morning" he was thinking..."I'm ready for the day." No no no! "It is night-time and time for sleep." This just proved to me that as soon as you think you've got everything under control it all changes. Probably the biggest lesson learnt for a first-time mum. Yesterday, in the evening, we had dinner at the best pizzeria near the beach and he was mellow and cute...and he only woke up once for some milk during the night. Cherub.
I was given some beautiful flowers for my birthday and today I realised how much brighter the house looks with flowers. Look at the absolutely gorgeous bird candles, a gift from the gorgeous girls, purchased from one of the most amazing boutiques in the world. Thankyou girls.
My lovely Dad gave me these wildflowers...he chose them himself - he is such a sweetheart.
And finally...I love this photo, I love the circles, I love the colours, I love the man who gave me these marie claire bowls for my 24th birthday...yes I love you Daniel Grey Smith.

24

Yesterday was my 24th birthday and, as always, Daniel gave me the most amazing gift. This photo was taken by a friend of ours at Ché's Naming Day in January. It is now hanging on our wall - a 20inch photo mounted and framed. I love that Ché isn't smiling...instead he is giving the camera his curious, intelligent look. Funny thing is, there was a fly on his nose but we photoshopped it out - hence Daniel's hand moving in the foreground. The framed image is zoomed in slightly and I love that Daniel chose to keep a slight hint of blue in my earring.

I love birthdays.

happiness =

Happiness = a vase of pink dahlias
Happiness = Ché sleeping in the same cot I slept in as a bub
Happiness = a patchwork teddy, a drum, a toy elephant, blue felt elf shoes, mala beads

I taught a beginners yoga class this evening and an elderly couple sat in the front row. They were very cute and smiled at me throughout the 90minute class. It's nice when your students smile - it's reassuring, I feel blessed to be in their space, sharing in their happiness. They probably didn't realise this but almost every one of their movements were in sync. And when they were lying down for a guided relaxation to complete their practice, they begun to breathe in unison. It must be love. And happiness.

It is wonderful to be introducing people to yoga and it is fascinating to watch one, four maybe even 11 people slowly release, relax and let go. If you're reading this perhaps you can become aware of the way that you are sitting. Roll your shoulders back and down. Lift the crown of your head towards the ceiling. Relax your face. Focus on your breathing for the next 20 breaths and mentally repeat "let" as you inhale and "go" as you exhale. Spend a few moments just letting go.

Awareness of breath & body is happiness. Yoga creates happiness. Om Om Om.

earth hour

I had some fresh coriander sitting lonesome in a vase on the windowsill today so I thought it would be best to cook a yummy tikka masala for dinner - sprinkled with coriander and yogurt, mango & naan as yummy accompaniments. We ate it by candlelight because along with millions of others we turned off all the lights for earth hour. I enjoyed walking from room to room, lighting candles in each and smelling the sweet aroma of the curry cooking...there is nothing quite like a curry on a saturday night. Yum!

sort out the planet

Baby Ché began his day playing on his new floor mats and contemplating the day ahead. "Hmmmm, what will today bring?" he muses. Playing at the beach? Hanging out with Mama? A long afternoon snooze? He'd like to remind everyone that tonight the world will be lit by candlelight. "It's Earth Hour and the planet will be dimmed to ensure that when I grow up, I will enjoy clean air, green trees, fresh water and regulated temperature...please."Which is why Ché has decided to wear his political beliefs on his sleeve - "I won't stop screaming until you sort out the planet" says his t-shirt. Need we say more?

The first page of the first chapter of a very interesting story...

I've decided to create this blog so that those of you who live far far away can watch Ché grow. Hopefully you can make the journey to this page every few days and take a little look at what we've been up to. I can thank Kiri for the encouragement...you see, she leaves for Europe in about 20 sleeps and we are very sad to see her go. She is even sadder that she won't see Baby Ché Ché for such a long while. All this sadness was getting a bit overwhelming, hence the creation of Ché & Fidel. We had mochas and blueberry bagels today. This is Kiri and Ché with the new addition - Bunny. Bunny is an Easter gift - a blue and white rabbit with very long, chewable ears. I think Bunny may have become "security bunny" so no doubt in a years time Bunny will still be gracing this page, perhaps a little dirtier and maybe with one less ear.