Cruising down at the Wharf

Hi ... it's me.

That person who apparently blogs in this little space.

It seems that a little boy who came into our lives has reduced my wish to write posts, 

either that or it is my lack of getting out and about like I used to. Maybe it is really my sheer laziness and reliance on facebook and instagram browsing instead of doing more useful things or even more enjoyable things, like blogging.

A couple of weeks ago we headed into the city for a doctors appointment followed by meeting Mr Sparky for breakfast. Sometimes it seems like we never see him and like our Little Possum never gets to see his daddy. Anyway, after breakfast bub and I headed off on a walk first to visit a daycare Mum's shop and then down to the wharf because CRUISE SHIP and there is nothing like a walk along the water to relax.

I used to spend so much time down here because of work, and because I wanted to. Now that we've moved south side it takes a bit more effort and organisation, both of which I seem to lack at the moment.

It was a gorgeous day to be close to the water and it was sunny. We'd been having a far amount of cloudy weather at the time. The sun is back now and giving us firm hints of the Summer to come.

There were plenty of other people around, probably more because of the cruise ship than anything.

There was even some wedding photography happening. A pretty awesome backdrop really.

I really should start making more of an effort to get out and about a bit more. Mind you it isn't like I don't with Possum's swimming lessons and Mums group, but it isn't quite the same.

Hopefully I get some catch ups from the last few months for you to enjoy. Don't hold your breath waiting though. Those hanging out on instagram probably have more of an idea of what I've been up to recently. But its okay .. "I'll be back." (Bet you read that in an Arnie voice 😜 ... you did now)

3 months on

How many times can you say that you can't believe that much time has passed before it sinks in?



Our cheeky little possum has been a part of our family for 3 months now, clicking over to 3 months old on the 6th of July.


It seems like such a milestone but we started the day as normal, and the rest of the day went per "normal" to be honest. First was the pre sunrise feeding and hanging with Dad before he went to work. We then headed off on our morning walk.

It was a gorgeous and relaxing start to the day, we love getting outdoors.

Liam is always set up with his toys which he plays with more and more. He usually checks out the sky and anything else he can see before dozing off.

I, of cause, am always set up with my camera, which Liam likes to use as a foot rest.

 

It is good to get out and about, checking out the area we now live.

I can't really believe he is that old already, that he has been in our lives that long already.
I feel like our baby is growing at a rate of knots and that if I blink he won't be a baby any more.
We have so much love for this tiny human in our lives and so much amazement watching him grown and learn.

 I feel like things are certainly easier and the newborn days are definitely gone. I miss those first weeks already but I certainly enjoy getting sleep now. I know we will have many more challenging times of teething, sickness, tantrums and who knows what else ahead but this certainly seems like we've made it through the hard slog, for now anyway. I guess it is getting sleep that gives me that opinion but he really is a mostly chilled little man or maybe I am just very good at forgetting the screaming and unsettled times. I'm just going to enjoy this rhythm we seem to have fallen in to. Mind you the other day I had one of those 'I wish I was at work' moments. I'm really not sure what to do with myself.

Our little cockatoo has certainly found his voice, being just as noisy as the birds that his hairstyle mimics. He is just on the edge of giggling, I know one day it will just start. He startles easily these days, any strange or loud sound sees his bottom lip drop and body tense up. Raspberries and making noises and bubbles in all that dribble is the way to communicate these days. We certainly know who is boss in our house at the moment. In saying that though, he still goes with the flow.

These days Liam gets a little excited when Daddy gets home and is usually happy to see him, with smiles to share. He also gets excited when we say bath and when he gets completely undressed. Bath time is always fun and there is a lot more splashing these days and just enjoying the feel and noise of the water. He also loves our morning walks, well I assume he does. He is very relaxed during them and has a little nap. 

These days the hanging toys are a lot of fun and are whacked, grabbed and pulled into his mouth. His hands and fists are another endless source of entertainment and comfort. He is often seen sucking on various fingers and his thumb or trying to shove the whole fist in his mouth. He is certainly gaining more control over his hands, grabbing things that are near him and most recently trying to bring them to his mouth. Tummy time is also more interesting, his little head sitting up high, looking around and doing occasional rolls over when he feels like it. He still loves that knitted clown he was given and these days loves the little, brightly coloured koala that is usually hanging in his pram. Feet are also apparently a fascinating thing and when he realised they were covered up in his suit the other night he spent ages staring at them, I swear trying to work out where they had gone.

I can see him changing, growing and learning all the time. He is such a copy cat and such a personality.

Not only has Liam been on his first flight he has now been on his first camping trip. I feel this kid will certainly have seen a lot when he has finished his first year. I can't wait to experience more with him and share his amazement at this whole shiny, new world  ... and to blow more raspberries on all that chubbiness.

Winter Evening

Today, I came home from work (daycare) with snot, tears and who knows what else smeared into my shirt. Clothes and myself washed means I am feeling a lot more human and a lot less sticky and sandy. I am relaxing and thinking back to time with family with the Olympics on T.V. in the background. How awesomely talented are those athletes.

So, last week while I was chillaxing with family in Townsville, we went on many an walk, particularly in the evening. Definitely not Olympic quality walking but certainly relaxing with gorgeous views.

Since I've been back I've had grey days which are making me dream of the gorgeous days of last week. I have been slaving away working though so I am kind of glad the weather isn't making me envious of time that I could be out taking photos.

These photos were from our second evening, so we had a few more to enjoy together.

The perfect, tropical (technically dry tropics) winter evening.

Do you enjoy an evening walk?

New views from mountain ranges

Last weekend, the one just gone, both of us weren't working and other than me needing to be back to start work at 8pm we pretty much had a three day weekend to fill. I thought we were in need of some relaxing and had briefly suggested camping or going somewhere earlier in the week but when we were still just hanging around at lunch time I figured it wouldn't happen. I brought this up with Mr Sparky in a 'I thought we'd be going camping or something this weekend' kind of way. No beating around the bush here. Mr Sparky was like 'ahh, yes' and then suggested Maytown before heading off for an afternoon nap. Well my line of thought was then along the lines of 'that isn't going to happen, I guess'. Well at 5:30pm Mr Sparky is like, 'lets go'. Ummm, hello, now 5:30pm.

Sunday morning, after a little deliberating, we packed and headed off on an overnighter. Maytown was still the aim. Maytown is a deserted mining town with nothing but relics of its mining past left behind.

So off we went. First up the Kuranda range, then on to Mareeba and then we headed north.

We passed through Mt Molloy and Mt Carbine, two dots on the map. Mr Sparky was regaling me with tales of heading to the Mt Carbine pub and how he'd do it all again in a heartbeat. I was happily chatting and singing away. This is when we feel the best, when out and about away from the city. The landscape was amazing with mountains rising around us. Then is was up the Desailly Range.

The view from Bob's Lookout at the top of the range was amazing. 

The name of the lookout amused us for a while, Mr Sparky also gets called Bob or Old Bob because that was the name of an ex boss of his.

  

I seemed like we could see forever and the mountains looked so dramatic with the plains around them.

Despite the road we were on and the power poles in the distance, it still very much looked like the untamed land it is.

As seems to happen everywhere, the area had been decorated with graffiti. Some were just the standard so and so was here but some were hilarious, particularly along the rail on the side of the road.

 

Sorry for my crappy panorama but I just wanted to share the scale of the view.

After staring in awe at the view we hit the road again. Along the way we could still catch glimpses of the view from up high.

We crossed many a creek and river along the way and ended up pulling into Kelly St. George Creek for lunch.

It was a good spot, with nice clear water and so pretty too.

After eating and relaxing it was time to keep going. We wanted to have time to look around and find a camp site too.

But for those who have read of past camping trips, you might know what could be ahead. For those who don't know of our ability to have camping trip go wrong this might be more of a surprise.

Maytown certainly wasn't happening this time. Well, if Mr Sparky had his way, it probably still would have.

What did we do next? That is a tale for another day.