HAPPY HALLOWEEN
This post is dedicated to Marisa who LOVES Halloween :)

Halloween has rolled around again and it seems the holiday is gaining momentum in Australia. The retail industry is seeing growth in the sale of Halloween merchandise each year and groups of children are seen wandering the neighbourhood in costumes. I didn't think I would be introducing my children to this celebration just yet...but my sister-in-law Grace is always up for fun - and she decided she would take some nieces and nephews trick or treating (crazy woman! Grace, if you're reading this, I'm only joking! Gotta love your enthusiasm!)

Trying to explain the concept of Halloween to an almost 3 year old and a recently turned 4 year old got me into all sorts of strife...good lollies, bad lollies, good people, bad people, why would people want to take them ... "why?" was asked a lot... and in the end we just settled for the simple explanation- which is why Daniel told my Dad he was going to knock on people's doors to get lollies :) I had to stress that we only did this sort of thing today and only ever with an adult he knows!

So now onto costumes. Unlike Marisa, and other enthusiastic crafty people, I did not sew the boys' costumes...heck, I barely bought them something to wear! I looked at some masks but they looked too scary and I didn't think my boys would be comfortable wearing them. In the end I got them simple trick or treat T-shirts that came with glow in the dark skeletons (mind you, I was stooged - they didn't glow in the dark or anywhere for that matter!) and thought we could then draw something simple on their faces.

Sounds easy enough. But not so straightforward with Thomas around. Daniel quite happily got a big spider drawn on his face with eyeliner...if you look quickly and squint a little it does look like a spider :) I think his nostrils look like the eyes of the spider. Can you see it? My sister was the artist.

We added a scar for good measure...

Thomas simply refused to have anything drawn on his face but eventually agreed to a spider on his hand...

Before this he asked for a bike on his other hand...at this point we were guessing he wasn't really getting the concept of Halloween! We drew the bike just to keep the peace.

Then he agreed to have something drawn on his face. His request? A potato. Yes, a potato. The vegetable. Can you get more random than that? So we drew a little ghost and told him it was a potato. He bought it. When Sam commented on the ghost, Thomas corrected him and told him it was a potato :)

Ah, their first Halloween...

Soon the rest of the gang arrived - witches Claudia, Jessica and Natasha, along with monsters Jack and Joey...all very excited and hypo even before any lollies were devoured!

Thomas wanted me to go along (think he was very unsure about the whole thing) but in the end my sister went along as I have been feeling a little light headed and discovered my blood pressure was low. Off they set on their great adventure...

They came back with a reasonable amount of lollies considering some people closed doors on them and told them they didn't believe in Halloween! Daniel couldn't stop talking about the witch who answered one door...hope he doesn't have nightmares lol

As expected, Thomas and Daniel eventually ran out of steam on the hilly slopes of our neighbourhood streets and Sam had to go and rescue them. Thomas was so excited to have had a ride in Daddy's car that that became the highlight of the night!

And not to leave Samuel out, thought I would post photos of this very cute outfit, inspired by Halloween (note the bats on the top)! Too cute!

Marisa, a few questions ... is Halloween a public holiday over there? Do most people go trick or treating, or do they throw/attend parties? Just wondering who is left to answer knocks at the door if everyone is out walking the streets...

Happy Halloween everyone!

HUNGRY LITTLE HIPPO AND THE THREE MISCHIEF MAKERS

We affectionately refer to Samuel as Hungry Hippo because of his ferocious appetite, and now his nickname has been given further credibility. Yesterday I took him to the local clinic to get weighed and the nurse nearly fell off her chair when I placed him on the scales! When she saw him at 2 weeks old he weighed 3.44kg and now at just over 4 weeks (nearly 5 weeks old) he weighs 4.6kg! She was so shocked that she weighed him a further two times and then weighed her water bottle to check that the scales were working!

She assured me all was okay and guessed that he had probably gone through a growth spurt :) She advised that it was okay to increase his feed to 150ml and he has been devouring that as well! Unfortunately he still gets an upset stomach and reflux and we haven't had a great day today...but at least he is gaining weight and looking healthy...although to me he still seems tiny.

And now on to the three mischief makers...Thomas, Daniel and my niece Alessia! On my husband Sam's side of the family, Thomas and Daniel are grandchild number 13 and 14 respectively (with Sofia and Samuel rounding off the 16) but on my side of the family they are numbered 1 and 2...and Alessia is number 3 on our side and 1 on her mum's side...so these three think they rule the roost - and sometimes I have to admit they do!

As soon as they see each other they SCREAM with delight (in high pitched voices that would put Pavarotti's notes to shame) and immediately begin running around and being silly! None of us adults get a look in, let alone a hello or a kiss! My mum and I looked after the three of them, along with Samuel, last Friday and we were completely outnumbered. We couldn't get any of them to nap and we simply didn't have enough arms to control them all... they basically terrorised us all day long! Lounge cushions were hurled about, toys strewn everywhere, tea towels pulled out of drawers and thrown about, demands made, tantrums thrown ...I'm sure you get the picture :)

Alessia's favourite activity, for which she is constantly in trouble (and which my boys encourage her to do and join her in doing) is jumping off the granite fireplace step...

Can you make out the print on Daniel's top? It says "Master of Disaster" and a more apt slogan I could not think of! This describes him perfectly. With a mischievous smile, he is always ready to go where he shouldn't, do what he shouldn't and encourage Alessia to do the same!

Thomas and Alessia get along quite well and can, when the mood strikes them, play nicely together. Thomas dotes on Alessia and Alessia looks up to Thomas...

Daniel and Alessia on the other hand, when they are not in cahoots together, are most often at each other's throats! This is mainly because Daniel knows how to annoy her! He'll steal her Dora doll, he'll push her over, he'll crash tackle her (this often gives us adults a collective heart attack) and he sits on her...yes, you read correctly...

But at the end of the day, they just love each other to bits and are always ready to spend time together! I just shudder to think what they'll be like as teenagers out and about on the town...we can only hope that Thomas will keep them all in line!

Daniel, for all his mischief making, is also just too damn cute for his own good! Can you guess what he is doing below?

These photos were taken this morning. He has Wags the dog on his shoulder as he attempts to "burp" him, just like I do with Samuel! He even found a face washer to sling over his shoulder in case Wags vomited! And as he paces up and down, gently patting Wags' back, you can hear him saying, "It's okay little man"...awwww that melts my heart... And then he advises that I can "pat" Wags but instructs me to not touch him on the head :) Daniel's a little parrot and we love him for it!

LITTLE MR INDEPENDENT

My littlest man is already one month old!! Can you believe that? Where did the past 4 weeks go?
Here he is looking a little startled but oh so cute (I'm just a little biased)! And when he smiles he melts hearts :)

Despite his reflux (a family tradition), Samuel is growing up fast. I'll take him to get weighed this week but he's outgrown his cute 0000 size clothing and is onto size 000 (still little).

And like his two older brothers, it looks like he will be Mr Independent! Look what he did the other night during a feed...

Yep, he's holding that bottle all on his own - and one handed at that! Clever little munchkin! But we weren't that slack to make him work hard for his milk...we took over once we took the photo.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

I wonder how quickly I'm going to run out of cliched titles relating to boys for blog post titles?

Today I am really experiencing what it is like to have 3 children under the age of 5! My mum, who is usually here with me, had to travel to attend a funeral and so I'm on my own. Samuel is unsettled, even honouring me with vomit down my top and the other two are still in pj's, running around pretending to escape from monsters and the like! At least they are not at each other's throats. I have attempted to feed them breakfast and lunch in between comforting Samuel and I have even managed to wash the breakfast dishes and dress myself...but that's about it! Help! I need a live-in nanny!

This morning I had to take a photo of Daniel's thongs (aka flip flops for Americans reading this)! There is nothing cuter than watching a toddler try and walk in his first pair of "grown-up" thongs (that is, with no strap on the back)! I must admit he is doing pretty well, even managing to put them on properly most of the time!

Of course, they then wanted to see photos of themselves...so I attempted to take some. They didn't keep still for long...giggling, laughing, wrestling, hugging... boys will be boys...and I love it :)

COUGHING CONCOCTION

I'm sitting here at the end of a hot Sydney Spring day drinking a concoction that is making me swelter even more! I have a persistent, annoying cough that is driving me insane so I'm trying this home remedy. I tried it only once before while I was pregnant and desperate - I was tired of being sick and taking medication so I tried it and it worked! Well, I think it did anyway...tonight's experiment will show whether it really did or whether it was just coincidence.

My grandmother in Italy heard it on TV and passed it on to my Mum - basically you just mix half a glass of wine with half a glass of juice freshly squeezed from an orange and bring to the boil. You then add 1-2 tablespoons of honey and stir. Drink and cough is cured!

Does anyone know of any other coughing cure home remedies?

P.S. Don't forget to check out Marquee for great ideas for kids (I have heaps of items I'm itching to add)!

COMPARING MY BABY BOYS

It's not wise to compare children. As a parent and teacher I know this only too well. But when it comes to really cute baby photos, I don't think there's any harm :)

These three photos of my boys were taken by Don Shiel Photography whilst still at the hospital...all three were less than a week old! Their features quickly changed and they didn't stay "baby" babies for long so these photos are a lovely reminder of how tiny each of them was.

Although not visible in these photos, all three boys have a double crown (see earlier post on what this may mean) but only Samuel has the little cowlick at the front!

Thomas

Daniel

Samuel

PICS I'VE BEEN MEANING TO POST...

Earlier this year when we sold our house, and I was half way through my pregnancy with Samuel, I decided that something had to give. I had already commenced maternity leave but there was no way I could do it all...so I finally made the decision to quit my hobby/business making scrapbooking products. I haven't been able to let go of the website for Scrap4U just yet (although it has been a little neglected), but it has been a huge relief knowing I won't have deadlines and projects to complete - at least in this area (building a new home, making hampers and running after the kids will keep me plenty busy)! Of course I still plan to do crazy things like make my own Xmas cards but I won't have the burden of pleasing others.

Anyway, here are some pics of projects I completed earlier this year including canvases of my boys and niece, Christening guest books and a decorative letter (if anyone can tell me why my photos look fuzzy when uploaded to Blogger, I would appreciate it):

The other thing I didn't get around to posting was the Rugby League Grand Final result... unfortunately Parramatta's dream run came to an end and after a spirited, edge of seat thrilling second half of footy, they went down to Melbourne 23-16 :(

It was still an excellent night and I love Sam for getting us box seats! The atmosphere was brilliant (would have been even better if they had won)! We had a sit down meal before the game and retired Souths player Mario Fenech stopped by for a chat, even "tackling" Sam a couple of times lol. He seemed like a lovely guy.

It was a great season and Parra fans showed their appreciation by mobbing the team both back at our home stadium that night and in the street parade that followed a couple of days later. They came from almost the bottom of the ladder half way through the season to squeeze into the playoffs in 8th position. From there, everyone kept predicting their demise but they kept on knocking out team after team to steamroll their way right into the final! It was awesome!! Go Eels in 2010!!!!!

These are pics of Thomas and Daniel taken by my sister in-law on the first weekend of the playoffs when we beat the minor premiers St George in brilliant fashion!

And here is Samuel on GF day in his Eels singlet and booties (he was a bit small for his jersey)...and no, he wasn't crying because he was in blue and gold (he was just hungry)!

HECTIC!


Life is hectic but not as hectic as it would have been if I wasn't living with my parents while we build! It certainly helps to have extra hands on deck - especially with Thomas and Daniel up to their usual mischief.


Samuel is doing well and every now and then even gives me a great night time rest (8 hours between feeds last night and he's not even 3 weeks old)! He suffers from colic and reflux like Thomas and Daniel did :( but we are coping as well as we can. He's just so sweet that it's easy not to stress...


Thomas and Daniel adore Samuel and are constantly wanting to give him kisses, hold his tiny hands and touch his tiny feet. I'm sure they will grow up to be very close as only 3 brothers can but I dread the trouble the three of them will get up to together!


I have been working on a number of projects I long ago neglected like my other blog which highlights products and gifts for children of all ages. Just today I updated with a few of the products I'm currently using like natural laundy powder, bottom balm (which I love) and the all-natural dummy...which I know is ugly but which I don't need to hear repeatedly! If it's good enough for Cate Blanchett's three boys, it's good enough for mine :)


Check out the products for yourself http://www.marqueekids.blogspot.com/

BABY SAMUEL STEALS OUR HEARTS

Okay, where do I begin? As most of you know, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my baby, convinced it would arrive early. Sam was hoping baby would arrive by the morning of Friday 25th September so he could attend the footy on Friday night (huge semi-final in which our team, the Parramatta Eels were going into battle against arch rivals, the Bulldogs). He also thought he would throw in a request for a daytime birth so he didn't lose any sleep (Thomas and Daniel both arrived in the middle of the night)!

Well, nothing seemed to be going to plan. I saw the obstetrician on Thursday morning and she thought I might go in a few days or even a week. I returned home ready to play the waiting game. I messaged a few friends and told them as much. That morning I had also messaged my cousin Daniella to wish her a happy birthday and brought up the possibility of baby arriving as a birthday present...but by the afternoon it seemed like this birthday, like all the others I knew of in September, would come and go with no baby making an appearance.

At about 3pm I woke from a nap with Daniel and started to experience cramping...I started to think I might be in labour but wasn't really sure. I rang Sam at work but was still undecided about whether he should come home or not. He wasn't going to take any chances (Thomas and Daniel were delivered in 6 hours and 3 hours respectively) so he immediately started to make his way home. In the meantime I rang the hospital and they told me to go in because I was really indecisive about whether I was in labour...I don't seem to have any of the tell-tale signs that alert people to the onset of labour.

Sam arrived and drove me to the hospital. Yes, by this stage I knew I was in labour but was still thinking it might take a while. Lo and behold at 4.41pm (after 1 hour and 45 minutes of labour)little Samuel made a grand entrance! The midwife was excellent, but she was trying to slow me down so that the obstetrician could be present to collect the cord blood (Sam and I had decided that this time around we would preserve the baby's cord blood in case it was needed in future). In the end, the obstetrician ran from her office up the street and rushed up just in time to see Samuel's little head already out with the rest of him following minutes later!

I wasn't at all disappointed that I was blessed with another boy - for that's exactly what he is - a blessing. I wouldn't trade him for anything!

And how brilliant a wife am I? I delivered Sam another son in record time, in daylight hours and in time for him to attend the footy! Or it may just be that we finally have a child that listens when we speak!!! LOL

For the record, Sam didn't end up going to the footy because he wanted to spend some more time with us but we do consider Samuel the Parramatta Eels' lucky charm! They went on to win the game and now face the Melbourne Storm in this weekend's Grand Final. I've followed the Eels all my life and Sam made sure he got us box seats to the game so I'm very excited. They haven't won a premiership since 1986!!! Let's hope they have one more big game left in them!

But back to Samuel...so far he has been a dream baby and I'm determined to really enjoy him for I know that in the blink of an eye he will be all grown up. Thomas and Daniel adore him and are fascinated by his little hands and feet and all the little things he does (like burping after a feed), but we need to be on guard 24/7 because they don't quite get how fragile he is! They look like giants to me now...and I wonder where all that time flew...they were smaller than Samuel when they were born.

For those playing at home, Samuel James arrived on 24th September at 4.41pm weighing 3.36kg and measuring 52cm. Who would have guessed?

Another tiny miracle for which I'm eternally grateful...and here are some pics (I'm not sure why they get a bit fuzzy when uploaded on blogger?!)

This is my favourite one... my 3 boys

Daddy and Samuel
Mummy and Samuel

Arriving home

My little angel

Enjoying a nap