the day Renatah turned one

November 2nd 2007

She was greeted with her Muma and Papa singing "Happy Birthday to You" and then landing affectionate smooches on her cheek ...

We then had fun opening her cards from family. Thank you Great Nanna and G'pop for the birthday wishes and the fun stickers inside!! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the pooh bear card and birthday balloons ... they were a hit!!

The day went on with our regular routines and a few special treats - like a phone call from Auntie Karina and Auntie Anita.

We had a family celebration the next night which included the presentation of the cake!!

The Birthday Cake - her very own!

Every 1 year old needs a 'birthday cake' exploration experience. This is Renatah's. I should add that it was also her first exposure to 'sugar'. She has already indicated her disinterest in naturally sweet things (ie many types of fruit!) so we were not surprised by her reaction to chocolate cake with frosting!!

I love to ...

walk

I love to ...

swwwwwwing

Time to Update

Have we been in hiding?? No not really - well maybe - it's hard to tell. September was an insanely busy month for us (and for many I know strangely enough) and so life happened and pictures were taken and there were stories to tell but there was no moments of down time to sit and share them with you.

So in one big effort I've found some time to update our blog ... share the pictures and stories with you that have happened over the past month and a bit. Pay no attention to the order in which they come ... I tried to figure out how the posting and order works (thus I'm writing this at the end of it all!!) but in the end it doesn't really matter - just scroll down - read and enjoy some snapshots of our life.

Coming soon will be pics and stories of Renatah's first birthday - can you believe it's been a year?!?!?! Where has all the time gone?! What an awesome year it has been!

The Picture Tells a Story

These captured moments speak to so much more than the still life you can observe. So while the picture probably says enough - I've added some thoughts to help paint a more complete picture!

The Picture Tells a Story (1)

This picture was taken just moments too late to capture our little explorer completely inside the cupboard! We caught her coming out! Not too long ago Renatah figured out how to open cupboards. It prompted the installation of some lock thingo's on the cupboard doors that we don't want her exploring (ie under the kitchen sink - we all know what nasty's loom under there!) and some rearranging of where things are stored.

She does however have free reign over the cupboard that houses the pots and pans and now the tupperware! Now she is forever emptying and I'm forever putting away!! I'm not complaining - it's great to watch her explore her world - bumps, bonks and all!

The Picture Tells a Story (2)

"DADA, HI" ... what does this say about the muma?! I guess I'm on the phone quite a bit with Tim!! Although we refer to Tim as 'Papa', Renatah has taken to the word 'Dada' ... we have discovered however that this word is mostly spoken when she sees or is playing with a phone!! Phone = dada!! It was affirmed the other morning at church when Renatah saw a lady walk past with the same cell phone as me and she pointed and said 'dada'!!

Her face lights up when the phone rings and she sticks her arm up in the air and waves her little hand and says "HI, DADA HI". The greeting is usually followed by an outstretched hand saying 'ta' - asking for the phone so that she can hold it and talk to her Papa ( or just push the buttons and observe what happens!)

The Picture Tells a Story (3)

Everything was very quiet as I read a book on the couch. One of those it's-too-quiet-for-my-liking moments - something must be going on.
Sure enough! She had scavenged through the diaper bag and found my wallet ... emptied its contents and was going for the coffee!! (it was empty thankfully!)

Summer Project

This summer we had Shalom with us for two weeks and we did a few projects together. The favourite was making a dress for Renatah and a shirt for Shalom. Shalom chose the fabric and practiced using a machine on scraps before venturing into her first sewing experience. She did a fabulous job on her shirt and I made Renatah's matching little dress. It is wonderful to see Shalom proud of her accomplishment and eager to do more! Perhaps we won't make any more matching outfits but some other projects will be fun!

Gardening with Muma

Oh what fun was had! Muma decided not to care how dirty I got or how much dirt I ate!

If you look closely you can see that I also got watered when the plants did!!

a moment by the tub

Our Renatah LOVES bathtime!!
She is so good at entertaining herself and others.
We thought you might enjoy a few mintues by the tub!!

She WALKS!!

Over the past few months Renatah has grown more and more confident in walking with support ... we delighted in her crawling up to us, climbing up our leg and tugging on our finger in the direction she wanted to go. On Sept 29 just a few days before her 11 month birthday her sense of adventure took over and instead of just a step or two in between objects she wandered away from me (in the kitchen) and into her toy area. Her godmuma - Aunty Joy - witnessed the event. Renatah was so pleased with her self that she repeated her little jaunt a few more times that evening.



After a few days of walking and then falling and then crawling over to something on which to support her as she pulled herself up to standing she has developed into a more frequent and confident walker. Renatah now prefers to walk though she does resort to crawling when she wants to get some where fast - she just trips over her little feet!!



Enjoy the video!

Visits from Home

We had a much anticipated visit from our dear friends 'auntie Gwen' and 'auntie Di' at the beginning of September. They had talked of using their long-service leave to come and visit us in 2007 ... and sure enough ... 2007 came and plans were in the works.

They toured much of the North West of the USA. We joined them in touring Mt St Helens in Washington State. We drove out to the Oregon 'coast' to Cannon Beach and payed a visit to Tillamook Cheese Factory. Seattle Space Needle was another conquered tourist attraction.

We also enjoyed just hanging out at the local shops - Clackamas Town Center where they witnessed Renatah's first (impromptu) photo shoot ... and their all time favourite - Fred Meyer. How are you doing ladies without your Freddies fix??

Auntie Gwen and Auntie Di - we miss you - but the treasures you left behind give us fond reminders daily! Renatah loves 'Fred' - I think he's becoming her favourite!

Death to Crackers

Renatah tried to stuff the big pieces of cracker into her mouth but found that if she beat the cracker to itty bitty bits it was eaiser. Not a good day to be a cracker!

Renatah says YAY!!

the toothless grin

yep ... 9 months old and still no teeth. Aparently it's a typical Ohlson trait so we aren't too worried. I realised the other day - I think I will be a little sad when teeth do start to appear! We are growing very fond of Renatah's gummy smiles and noises. She continues to 'teethe' every once in a while, but it still hasn't produced any pearly whites!

We miss our Gramps and Nonny

You have been gone for just over 3 weeks and we miss you terribly. Looking back at all the photos of your time here makes us happy and sad.

Thanks for coming - come back soon!!

still enjoying VEGEMITE

our 'water baby'

Once again tapping into her Aussie roots our little girl is proving to be a water baby. She loves her baths and splashes in the paddle pool ... last week we introduced her to 'the big pool'. It was a wonderful experience. She seemed to enjoy the freedom of the floating device in the shallow parts where her feet could touch the ground. I was impressed by her calm reaction to going 'underwater' for a second or two and delighted that she would 'fall' into my arms and into the water when we put her on the side of the pool.

I can't wait to introduce her to the beautiful Australian beaches at the end of the year!

Every baby needs a photo in the laundry basket!

Renatah did have a fun time for a few minutes, honestly!! By the time I got the camera out and ready though she was ready to get "out please mumma"!