Bath times were never this much fun...

When I were a lad I had to make do with empty Matey Bubble Bath bottles. Still enough of me here's Alfie getting to grips with his new bath toys...

People say (...OK mostly Beth!) the funniest things... #2

Beth managed to get her own back after the Dave the Gas Bottle incident today while changing Alfie's nappy. Knowing that anything she said on the monitor would filter through to the office Beth grabbed her opportunity. She started by muttering something about Daddy should be coming down to help change the nappy, lets just say there was little reaction at my end. She followed this up with "Don't put your hand in it... Leave it alone ... No don't put it in your mouth .... No open your mouth.", that had me running through the house to offer assistance. On arrival I found a smiling Alfie and a laughing Beth. Oh how we laughed!!! ;0)



I wanted to find a nappy shot of Alfie but had to go as far back as August to find one! It's amazing to see how much he's changed since then!

Blog Bits...

Putting this blog together is something of a labour of love, I guess even if nobody looked at it it would be worth it. Beth and I often look back on things by going though the archive or by flicking through the printed out version.

However there was a time last month in the midst of Christmas Chaos when I did wonder if all of the effort was worth it. I actually said to Beth "Who actually reads it!". Yes there are the devoted Grand Parents who are avid Blog Buddies but I was starting to think that we could update them just as easily via email. Any how this whole conversation set me wondering how many people do visit the blog, so we set a tracker running on it for the month of December. The results are fascinating as well as a bit nerdy so if web based data doesn't click your mouse then you might want to scroll on down to see what Alfie's up to now!

If your still here here's what we've found out. In December there were 83 different visitors who together made a total of 300 visits and 545 page views. There were 205 visits from the UK, by town Bristol came top with 98, followed by London and Abingdon (thanks Donna!). Australian visitors made 88 visits followed by New Zealand with 2 (Thanks Jim!). Interestingly the other visits came from India, USA, France and Israel. We're not sure who all of you are but welcome and keep coming back because What's doing down under isn't going anywhere just yet.

Time for a swim...

For those that have watched the video in the previous post, yes it was time for a swim! Alfie sent a text to Uncle Mitchell across the road to see if he could go for a swim in his and Amy Jane's pool!

Amy and Mitchell had bought Alfie a fantastic baby swim ring for Christmas, and totally spoilt us too! All we got them was a rather large beach ball (Although it did come in handy!), still at least we know for next year.

Alfie was a little hesitant at first but as he got used to the temperature he relaxed and was quite happy floating around the pool or being pushed between mum and dad. He had a great time...

... with Alfie out of the pool it was time for some pool challenges...

#1 How long can you stay on top of the beach ball?

#2 Try to catch the frisbee with artistic flair (I need to work on this!)

... that's more like it!

#3 Pool hoopla. Was impossible, not captured for the cameras!

Alfie's twin brother...

In previous posts we found out about Alfie's brother Dave the gas bottle, but we forgot to mention his twin brother! Here they are together... although strangely Alfie seems to be doing all the talking! ;0)

People say (...OK mostly Beth!) the funniest things...

Whilst out driving this week we took our now empty BBQ gas bottle with us for a refill. It wasn't really safe in the boot as it rolled around so we decided that it would be safer strapped in next to Alfie. Now life in the back of the car can be a little dull at times for Alfie - Window shades mean that there isn't much to see and so he entertains himself by playing with a toy or catching up on his sleep. Alfie's new traveling companion really captured his imagination and he couldn't take his eyes of it!

This made me question what it was about the Gas Bottle that he was so interested in. Was it the shine? The Colour? The noise it made against the seat? Maybe even the pattern that protective net created?

At that point Beth pointed out the obvious - apparently he was "trying to work out if was his brother!" What on Earth!!! This leads me to believe that every time that she sees something she doesn't recognise the first question she asks her self is "It it my brother?" Alfie certainly has an interesting mum and that's why we love her I guess! ;0)

... The gas bottle has now been named Dave and is now considered part of the family!

a VERY Merry Christmas...

Oh dear! The effects of eating and drinking too much over the festive season were painfully obvious today! Having done little exercise during the last week other than unwrap another chocolate or twist the top off a beer bottle I was faced with a crash weight gain - 3kg in fact which is pretty impressive when you consider it was only seven days!

So its back to work over the weekend to get rid of the excess after the excesses. I might have to work a little harder at it now as I'm back to where I was five long weeks ago!

In coming days we'll look back at our resolutions for the year and set some new ones - I can tell you that Beth is making very determined noises about getting fitter next year! ;0)

Time for a swim...

With some warm weather at last Alfie decided that it was time to strip off and take a swim. As you can see he seems to have suddenly found it very frustrating to be sat still, he's much happier on two legs or on all fours en route towards something he shouldn't be touching ... anyway I digress here's a video clip...

Early Riser...

Alfie is amazing us every day at the moment with a new trick. We are constantly having to move things and put things away so that everything is safe.

His latest trick is to stand up in his cot and so we have raised the lowest side. It's quite good fun to watch him do these things and when he eventually gets there you should see the smile on his face!!!

... gnawing on his cage!

... "What do you mean there are no presents in my stocking today!"

A (nearly) Sunny Day!!!

We've noticed that people are starting to blame the ordinary (Australian slang for rubbish) weather on our arrival last December. Reassuringly I read somewhere that this is nothing to do with us but rather due to a change in the global weather pattern El Nino (I was starting to worry myself!) After years of drought and wall to wall sunshine it would seem that we are set for a cooler, wetter and more unsettled spell.... this pleases nobody but the farmers!

Anyway today was at least dry and so we ventured off to the beach, catching up with Matt and Sharron and the boys in the process.

The all important sun hat... note no corks attached! Also dummy firmly in place to restrict the consumption of sand...
These are shorts!!! Worn low around the waist exposing underpants, very much the fashion these days! Check mum in her new Chrissy Sunnies!
Honest he enjoys the water! ... Remember that they are shorts and so he's not standing knee deep in water.

Alfie's First Christmas...

Here's a lengthy slide show of Alfie's 1st Christmas... enjoy!

It certainly was a good one, although some typically British summer weather put pay to any thoughts of a repeat of the Christmas Day Santa swim! Alfie was truly spoilt with so many gifts, he really doesn't know what to pick up and chew next! Thanks to Matt and Sharron and the boys for their hospitality over the festive period. Alfie appeared to be tucking in to his Christmas dinner although on closer inspection at least half found its way to the floor while the other half got stored safely in the Santa sack on his bib for later!

So this is Christmas...

Today is Xmas Eve and we are spending the morning packing up the car so that we can go to Matt and Sharron's until Boxing Day. With a seven month year old this is something of a military operation even without the Christmas factor... we might even need to do two trips!
We are very much looking forward to our first family Christmas, while at the same time being a little sad about the family we'll miss again this year.

Where ever you are in the world we'll be thinking of you and wishing you a very Merry Christmas from Down Under. It's strange to think that when you are sitting down to your roast turkey we'll have already started to think about what to do with what's left over.

Can we also take this opportunity to thank you for all the many Christmas cards and gifts that have arrived over the last month... the postman has been a frequent visitor! Alfie is very lucky as are we! It's nice to know that although we may be far away we are not forgotten.

Have a great one... Paul Beth Alfie xxx

See you in a few days for picture and video clip updates...

The upwardly mobile...

Alfie has found that sliding around on your belly works, but its hard work particularly on the carpet. He has discovered that he can get up on to is knees and move that way, but Alfie being Alfie he tries to get straight up onto his feet with less success and the occasional face plant.

Xmas Picnic...

With so much going on over the Christmas period we hastily arranged a Xmas picnic for the boys (Alfie, Elliot and Ben). With everyone so busy it was about the last date available, that most of us could make!... shame Matt who was working right up to the last Friday couldn't make it.

The boys had a great time and proved that looking after them is harder now than it has ever been. They don't seem to want to stay in one place for more than two seconds and insist on testing their physical abilities at every opportunity!

Alfie had a great time as he found that with some persistence he would be fed various items from the picnic. We found out that he enjoys cooked chook, melon and other various picnic offerings.

We shared presents for the boys, being teachers we went for the educational picture books for Ben and Elliott while Alfie was treated to a Baa vest from Elliott and a personalised decoration from Ben - both fantastically creative and personal gifts thanks guys.

Wibble Wobble...

In recent weeks Alfie has got pretty strong on his legs and actually enjoys standing up. As well as increasing his straight line speed it would seem that he's not far off pulling himself up on things.



... as Beth says he does "Wibble and Wobble" but at least he's getting up under his own steam, I must admit that I didn't believe he could at first! Just don't try and make him do it again to show everyone! ;0)

Feeding time at the Zoo...

There seems to be no stopping Alfie with his food at the moment. Just like Mummy and Daddy he's not proving to be a fussy eater, as he laps up most things, although he seems to prefer sweet things.

We are going to start letting Alfie feed himself a little more now and so this video might be the cleanest mealtime for a while.... thank goodness for tiled floors!

One week to Christmas...

Well with one week to go I've eventually got into the Xmas spirit! We got dressed up as a family and had a little dance around to Jingle Bells.... Alfie is certainly getting steady on his feet!

Click on the link to see us in action - Linky

It takes a while to load but it's worth it!!! ... If your on a dial up connection hope you had a great Xmas and New Year... don't eat too many Easter eggs! ;0)

Here comes the train... All aboard!

Elliot, Alfie's chum, likes nothing more than a train journey through the living room, so much so that his train now comes with a deluxe pulling strap and second carriage for the cuddly toys. With dad at home on his own this morning he decided that he would give Alfie and the Huggies box a work out.

With the passenger sat safely inside it was time for the train to the leave the station and chug off around the house. Mum was here when the 17:50 pulled into the station and managed to capture the moment on camera. He was enjoying the journey more than his expression might suggest, I think he was somewhat distracted by Mum's smirking and uncontrolled shaking!

Carols by Candlelight...

Last night we went to the local park for Carols by Candlelight. We had hoped to have gone last year but it got washed out. There we're about 4,000 people there, mostly families, huddled around picnic blankets getting into the Christmas spirit.

I'm finding the whole Christmas in the Summer thing very hard to get my head around, still with the Xmas tree to buy and put up and all my Christmas presents for Alfie and Beth to buy I better get my head sorted soon!

Alfie seemed to enjoy the evening refusing to sleep because there was so much going on, the fact that it combined two of Alfie's favourite things, lights and music, also helped. We waited for the fireworks with some trepidation as he doesn't seem to like loud noises (strimer and hoover) which send him clinging to the nearest adult. However in Liam and Matt's arms he obviously felt safe and watched the whole thing.

PAFC sign promising young prospect....

After some initial hesitation Alfie decided that he liked his Argyle kit that daddy has been itching to get him into. I think that the colour really suits him and that he to will come to truly love the only team worth supporting. For those of you thinking that dressing him in such a way is cruel, lets consider the other options, it could have been worse...

Moan Utd...

... Bristol City (I edited myself here so not to fall out with the in laws!)...

... or god forbid E*E*E* City.


Proof in point that things can always be worse! ;0)

Alfie Jack Picture Album - Now on Facebook

I've started an Alfie Jack - Month by Month on Facebook for those people that are interested. I thought it would be nice to get some pictures of him on there as messaged someone I haven't heard from in a long time and they responded with "YOU HAVE A SON!!!!" ... ooops! I'll add one new picture each month...

If you use Facebook then you'll know what to do to have a look.

If you don't use Facebook or even know what it is then I congratulate you! You'll have plenty of free time in your day to find a moment to click on this link - Alfie Jack - Month by Month

Talking of Christmas

I have managed to get the Christmas lights up outside which are quite restrained compared to those of the neighbours. Okay so we don't have the lights to compete (My attempted video of our lights was less than impressive!) but I bet they don't have a little helper to check that all the lights work...

Blue.... check!
Green .... check!
White .... Check!

Christmas came early...

Christmas came early today as I was offered a job at Hunter Valley Grammar school on a full time 1 year contract. While working from home was okay the getting access to the money paid by cheque in the UK which then took time to clear before taking another week to transfer the £'s into $'s meant that we had a monthly money crisis which wasn't doing anything to help us feel settled.

The days we've had supply teaching here (Beth is working all this week so it's Daddy Day care again!) helped as at least the cash goes in the bank, tax taken; sorted! I have been getting two or three days a week and the odd block which was a help. I can't say that I enjoyed it though as days here and there don't allow you to build relationships and rapport with the class which is what I think Primary Education is all about. Faced with a 35 year wait to get a full time job in Newcastle or anywhere on the coast (there is a waiting list when a job come up the next person on the lengthy list gets it!) We were faced with either moving out into the bush to a country school, trying my hand at something else or moving back to the UK and getting back into the system. I guess having Alfie changes things in that its not just you and the Mrs, I have responsibilities and an extra (increasingly hungry) mouth to feed! Casual teaching is neither rewarding or a stable way to live your life.

One day I spotted a small ad in the local paper, the school is considered to be one of the state's outstanding private schools with a reputation for academic, cultural and sporting excellence. I didn't hold out much hope as I have neither taught in a Grammar School or even been educated in one, both factors which would have not been favourable in the UK. Undeterred I requested a visit something I always try to do before applying for a job as you can pick up lots of tip bits for your application that way! I liked the place, the facilities were unbelievable and so I got my application in.

Yesterday I had a call requesting that I come for an interview today. It was very informal and I thought it had gone pretty well. I then got the call to say that they would like to offer me the post... needless to say I accepted. While only being for a year I know that a lot can change in that time and I'll be working hard to make sure that they don't want to let me go after that!

Expectations from parents will be high I'm sure and there will be a commitment to offer my services after school for activities... I think I might have already landed the Soccer Coach role which is much preferred to Horse riding as I don't have my own horse to bring to school like the children do... I kid you not!

Check out the school website here.

You gotta laugh...

Check out this video of Alfie and Joel playing Bee Bo We've tried this many times without success. Maybe Joel has the right balance of making him jump and laugh...

Wet n Wild

Well this week started with some wild weather which continued throughout the week. On Monday there was the storm which claimed the bug as a casualty and this started a pattern of afternoon storms. Friday night drinks with the neighbours was also interrupted by some rain which failed to put off the hardiest if drinkers! Sunday started overcast and very humid with a trip to a car boot sale (we wanted a DVD player which would actually play DVD's Down Under! Our old UK one proved useless!)although it pretty much stayed dry the temperatures got well into the 30's without actually being able to see the sun.


Later in the afternoon news started to filter through that a storm was on its way up the coast. This is a fairly big deal in Australia with news broadcasts interrupted with warnings etc, there is even a radar on a website where you can follow the path of the storms and read the lengthy warnings advice! There were already reports of golf ball sized hail in Sydney before things started to cloud over here. We had a storm which lashed Newcastle for about 30 mins dumping heaps of rain (thankfully no hail!) combined with high winds and thunder and lightening the likes of which we have never seen or heard before. There was no damage although the wire holding one of the shade sails outside snapped in a gust...

While this was going on our neighbours who had been invited over for something to eat watched their house with some anxiety. The power then failed for three hours which was kind of ironic seeing that I had spent much of the afternoon putting the Christmas lights up outside. luckily we could still eat, good ole BBQ and we lit candles which Alfie seemed to enjoy! Outside the storm moved quickly on leaving the most calm of nights and a beautiful sunset.

We had some games of cards while we waited for the power to return...

A year ago today...

Well what a year that was! The anniversary of our arrival in Australia almost passed without us noticing, if it wasn't for Matt the date would have passed without a mention. It's certainly been a big year with Beth and I doing some of the most stressful things you can do in life - moving house (and to the other side of the world), giving birth to Alfie and all the stresses that went with that not to mention the fact that we are trying so hard to make a go of our new life down under.

The next 12months will certainly go some way to shaping our future here, job prospects seem to be improving and for the first time there are a couple of irons in the fire on that front. So keep your fingers crossed and hope that we have some positive news about that soon.

Milestones...

With Alfie seemingly winning a battle with balance, independence or something everyday it's important not to miss them. Capturing the video below of him crawling was pure luck we just managed to have a camera in hand when he decided to really have a go... here are some other notable recent achievements and thoughts:

#1: "I don't like shoes"

#2: "I can sit up all by myself!"

#3: "I can drink from a big boys cup... sometimes I hold it the right way up so that water goes in my mouth!"

#4: "I can escape from the Bumbo easily!"


#5: "I can eat big boys foods with lumps n bumps in! Broccoli MMmmmmmmm!"