Down on the Farm

It was my Great Uncle Lex's 90th birthday last weekend, so the whole family packed up and moved inland of a few days to celebrate him. That meant that I got to spend some time at Stratharlie, the family farm where my Nanna Doreen grew up and where my Nanna was born.

It took almost the whole day to get there, but I was pretty happy being nestled between my mom and Nanna Doreen. When I wasn't sleeping, I would look out the window and watch the world go by. What a strange and beautiful place this is.

Once we got to Stratharlie, I had lots of fun meeting people, especially my cousins, as well as exploring the farm--there was a goat and chickens and an ostrich and lots of dogs that liked to lick my face and make me giggle.

I did lots more fun stuff while I was there, which I'll share later. I sure wish we didn't have to leave so soon, but I know we'll be back again so I'm trying not to be too sad about it. 

Do Not Be Afraid

Friends. Do not be afraid. I am speaking to you from the future.

And at the risk of spoiling the surprise, the future is kind of beautiful.

Vege-What?

So, there is this stuff that my mom spreads on her toast every once in a while and she gets really excited about it and makes lots of yummy noises. Even though she likes it a lot, she says she doen't want to use it every morning because it is like "Black Gold," which I think means that it is kind of rare. I never really understood what she was talking about...until Oz.

Apparently there is lots of Vege-Whats-Its in Australia, and the people here love this stuff...and they keep putting it in my mouth. At first I was, like, "No way, man," and kept my lips pursed. The term Black Gold isn't far off, because the stuff looks like tar. But these Australian women are awfully persistent. I like that. And after all that reluctance, I have to admit that I like the stuff...in moderation.

Well, we went to the grocery store this morning, and came to find rows and rows of Vege-Tar, including some made especially for kids one year and up. I could barely keep myself from sampling some in the store. Three more months to go and that jar is all mine! 

Welcome to Oz

Ladies, gentlemen, and babies, what a long, strange trip it has been. I can't believe my last post was on Mother's Day. I've been having my biggest adventures yet, and haven't even had a chance to sit down and tell you about them.


First, I went to Baltimore to see my Nanna and Pop Pop and pretty much all my aunties, save a few. Wow. I had such a good time seeing those fine ladies again and celebrating a new baby in the works. Congratulations Auntie Katherine. (This is where I would share some pictures, but mom forgot the camera. Geez.)


Then me and dad spent lots of time together, just hanging out and being guys: sitting on the front porch shirtless, having a drink, and smiling and the pretty ladies. 

And then dad went away, which I didn't like so much. Little did I know what was in store for me next. We got on a plane for a million hours, or something close to that. I could tell that mom was pretty stressed, so I did my best to stay up the whole time and distract her. A few times during the trip the flight attendant would wisk me away and take me on a tour of the First Class cabin, even though mom called her a stewardess to her face. (Again, geez mom. And again, why no pictures? I ascribe it to the aforementioned stress and the million hours.)


At long last we landed. Welcome to Australia, they all said, but we weren't quite home yet. Me, Mom, Nanna, and Pop Pop spent another four hours in the Sydney airport, where I actually got a second wind. I used my extra energy helping Pop Pop get a little extra work done.

Then off again on a short flight to Coffs Harbour, our final destination. After a cat nap on the plane I opened my eyes in the terminal and finally met my great grandmother. Five hours to LA, 15 hours to Sydney, and 5 hours to Coffs? ... Worth it!

I only wish my dad could be here with us. I love you, dad. We'll be home before you know it.

Happy Mother's Day

To all the mothers and mothers of mothers, the new moms and experienced moms, the soon-to-be moms and the aunties too: Happy Mother's Day!


Today I witnessed a thing of beauty. My dad celebrated my mom with everything in his arsenal and she loved it! Coffee and french toast (in bed), flowers, and a thoughtful gift (a small tv so she can watch the news in the kitchen while she's making dinner, aka mom's "alone time"). 

I gave my mom a little something, too. It's called the gift of laughter, and it was totally free. Now I'm sending it out to you, too. This is for you Grandma, Nanna, Nanna Doreen, Great Auntie Nette, Great Auntie Mary, all my extended aunties back east, all the amazing women in my life, and my generous caretakers (be they the boy or girl kind). I love you.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These

I'm a creature of habit. In the early morning hours I usually tidy my room a little bit, stare at the ceiling and contemplate life, chatter with Nikki Kitty, and then call my parents into the room for some human socializing and breakfast. I do this every morning. But I must have been having some pretty great dreams this morning because I slept for extra long and mom had to come check on me. 


This is the scene mom encountered when she came to check on me: Crib in disarray, snoozing away on my tummy with my butt in the air.

I'm a classy guy, huh? Check out the sleep mark on my forehead. Nice.


And don't worry, beloved friends and relatives, about all the stuff in my crib. I'm super strong now and can turn myself over, so SIDS Isn't really a risk anymore. But it's nice to know you care.

Christopher Robin

Mom took me to the store to get us both some books, and she brought her new camera just in case some cute moments presented themselves. When we were in the kids section, mom took me out of the stroller to stretch my legs in the forest grove. I guess she thought I was looking pretty good, because she brought out her camera and started snapping away! I mugged a little for the camera, but then all I wanted to do was grab the camera strap and put it in my mouth. Just in case you're wondering what to get me for my birthday: I love straps!

Flashback: Christmas

I just spent the weekend with my great-grandpa, and pretty soon I'm going to be off to Baltimore and then Australia to see my Nanna Doreen. May is definitely all about family time, which put me in mind of my grandparents in Arizona. I haven't seen them since Christmas, and I sure do miss them. I had a great time visiting them, and Arizona was pretty nice too. The weather was so beautiful--look what I got to do on Christmas Day:

Ah, youth! Those clothes used to be so big on me, and now I don't even fit into them anymore. Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Say Hello to Mr. Charming

That's me...Mr. Charming, I mean. This weekend I met my great grandpa Williams, and did I ever lay it on thick for him and his wife, Kathy. I know mom and dad have never seen me be quite as flirtatious before. I think that's because Bob and Kathy have been around lots of kids and just how to bring out the best in me. Take a look for yourself!