This year's gardening effort

It is no secret that I have what you might call 'a black thumb'. Plants don't survive very long in my care - I don't know why. So anyway, early this spring I thought I'd start really small and throw some wildflower seeds in a patch of dirt outside our back door.

I had my hopes up that something might happen!! Then we got Dalbea. What ever was growing in my yard (not planted by me) disappeared within the first few months of him living with us. This little patch of dirt was not left alone either.

So imagine my surprise one day when I glanced out to see - A LITTLE PINK FLOWER!! (please pay no attention to the gigantic weed growing behind it!). It only lasted a day or two before Mr. Dog disappeared it. BUT I got a flower! YAY!

Perhaps next spring I'll try something in the front where Mr. Dog doesn't roam. At least this year I had him to blame for my failed gardening efforts. Next year - it will just be my fault!

Big Girl Bed

Renatah developed the habit a few months ago of climbing out of her crib. She did so ever so gracefully - throwing one leg up on the top of the bar and launching herself over and onto the floor.

We figured it was about time to introduce the "Big Girl Bed". So when we got back from our camping trip we said good-bye to the crib and hello to her big girl bed.

The transition has gone rather smoothly for the most part. Her afternoon nap times are the hardest (she still sleeps in the morning - her best napping time). She is enjoying the freedom of climbing in and out of bed and has now mastered opening her door and letting herself out! Ahh the challenges just roll from one to the next. It's called parenting right!?





Asleep the first night in her new bed.

Cherry Picking

One Sunday afternoon we were invited out to our friend's farm to help him 'harvest' his cherries. We had a fabulous time hanging out, eating cherries, picking a few, eating some more and touring the farm a little.



Renatah ran free for most of the afternoon. She got to play in a paddle pool, 'ride' a tractor, say hi to some alpacas and eat some fresh produce from their veggie garden. Nonny we have pitted and frozen some of our pickings for you when you visit!!

Anyone's toothbrush will do

We have a little monkey who loves to climb ... today we walked around the corner to find ...

Our Summer Adventure

We packed up the car and headed south on a 14 hour road trip to Big Sur, California. We joined Tim's sister Barb and family there for a week of camping fun. It was a great time with family and something we hope to make a habit of over the years. Here are a few snap shots of our week. Another slide show - the easiest way to share more than one picture.

Disneyland

At the end of June Renatah and I accompanied Tim to LA. He had a week of training for work and we were able to hang out with family. It was a treat for Renatah to have time with her cousins. The highlight was definitely a trip to Disneyland one evening with Aunty Ruth and Aunty Ros. What a treat! Enjoy the pictures.

Our Trip to Hawaii

The second week in June Tim was 'sent' to Hawaii for work. Tough break huh!?!? So after some 'figuring' with frequent flyer miles it worked out for Renatah and I to join him and have a bit of a spontaneous family vacation! It was a blessing in so many ways.

Birthday Cake

Six months after her first introduction to 'birthday cake' . . . Renatah is now a big fan! Thanks 'e-ah-na for having a birthday and sharing your cake with me!

Watermelon Days

Baby News

We had our big ultra sound this week to check on our baby's development. It was also the time when we could find out the gender of our child.

We are VERY pleased to let you know that at the end of October we will have 'one of each', a 'pigeon pair' .... yep ...

it's a BOY!

This is extra happy news because in the history of the Ohlson family (well at least Tim's immediate family) boys are not so common! Tim has three older sisters. Two of them have kids and they each have just 1 token male (out of 4 or 5 children!). We are thrilled that the Ohlson name will continue. We are thankful that our son is growing very well right now. Our midwife commented that he is a 'big boy' at the moment. She did assure us though that over the remaining half of my pregnancy it could even out ... so ... we are not predicting a big boy at this point.

We hope to have more children in the future too, perhaps we will break the mold of 1 token male. Though I also come from a family with 1 token male - so - who knows really!!

Our Dancing Diva

It is a rare occasion that Renatah does not ask to dance in the morning after her breakfast. Our girl loves music ... but may need some help refining her 'moves'. It's good for a laugh every time though!

Home Improvements ... Phase 1: The Attic

Here's the story ... we moved into our new home just over a year ago and quickly discovered that the design of the house (the garage in particular) had a significant flaw. The garage was positioned at a 90 degree angle to the driveway. This meant that while we managed to get our little white car (which is ours no-longer) into the garage and close the door without too much difficulty ... it took 5 minutes and 200 little turns to get the little white car out of the garage.

SO - without too much deliberation we decided to forget using the garage for a car and turn it into a multipurpose room for our family and community of friends that use our house regularly. As with many 'bright ideas' this one is taking quite a lot of planning and purchasing to make a reality.

First things first was to find somewhere else to 'store' all the stuff that was being stored in the garage since we moved in. Our oh-so-wonderful-oh-so-talented-oh-so-generous neighbour helped us discover that our attic space could 'easily' be turned into effective storage space.

Hence began the construction of the attic. I lost track of exactly how long it took to convert the space into storage ... well ... truth be told ... I don't think they are done up there just yet. But it is being used for the most part.

So all our 'little things' are now out of the garage and in the attic thanks to these three wonderful men.

Stay tuned for the next phase!!

Puppy Love

We are thrilled that they are getting along so wonderfully! It is nice to have a child who is not terrified of pets.

It could be argued that she loves on them a bit too eagerly! She has plenty of 'war wounds' to show for her affections but it doesn't stop her from coming back for more!
Dalbea is a lot more tolerant than our cat, Icabod, who flees from Renatah's gleeful attempts to catch and cuddle her.

Enjoy the show.

Pig-Tail Princess

Her hair is now long enough for Muma to 'play' with.
Renatah loves to have 'pretties' in her hair.
The front is now hanging down to the bridge of her nose so most days she has a clip to hold the front back ... and then there are the pig-tail days.

This is the typical 'after nap' look.

where is your ... ?

Our little Poppy loves to point out our facial features as well as her own. Like may other video moments ... the highchair is just the easiest place to get her to sit still enough for long enough to capture a bit for you! She also loves to pray.

Where's Renatah?

a new baby ... a new puppy ... and now ...

a new car

needed to transport the new baby and the new puppy!

We had always planned on one day getting our 'family car' and well one day came last weekend! We have had our eye on the Honda Pilot for quite some time and things kind of just fell into place as we searched for our family car. So here it is. An 8 seater to hold us all and more to come (and those that visit and friends etc). I miss my little white car and my aussie sticker on the back. I'll have to 'order' a new one. Renatah loves being up high and seeing a lot more out of her bigger window. Tim and I both enjoy the smooth ride and panoramic views!

So - when are you coming to visit so you can meet our new puppy, baby(at the end of the yaer) and ride in our new car??

The invitation is open to all!

some news

Renatah doesn't quite understand what's going on ...

but we are thrilled to announce our growing family.

The grand event is due to happen two days shy of Renatah's 2nd birthday.

(October 31st 2008)

Papa's favourite Party Trick

SAD

HAPPY

now that you have seen the 'still' pictures ... here's the video

Introducing the newest member of our household

meet Dalbea

Dalbea arrived last week, 6 weeks old and full of 'puppy life'. He is half dalmation and half beagle ... quite literally ... a dalmation body with a beagle head.

Renatah loves the puppy but gets a little overwhelmed when Dalbea tries to play with her. Like all puppies he likes to jump and bite ... Renatah can be heard saying 'no bite, puppy no, muma hold me' many times a day!

Naturally he misses his brothers and sisters so we gave him a little toy puppy to keep him company! I wouldn't say it's his favourite - he loves to chew on just about anything!!