Grandma goes home

It was a sad day when we all said goodbye to Grandma. Kai especailly missed grandma's voice. And I missed having a security blanket around to tell me what to do. Now, I have to figure out motherhood all by myself. Grandma was blessed for all of her hard work while she was here. She got an upgrade to business class all the way home. She definitely deserved it!

Kai's blessing

Kai was blessed on 13 Jan 2008. Grandma made his little outfit, hat, 'dress', and booties. The outfit has little froggie buttons. Very cute, although some people thought Kai was a girl.

Mom and Kai have a precious moment

I love the moments when he just curls up on my chest and I can just hold him. When he sleeps like this it reminds me of the Anne Getty photos.

He is such a silly little guy

Kai is such a funny guy. We love all of the faces he makes. He loves to smile and has the cutest dimple on his right cheek. He also cracks us up when he is sleeping and something is going on in the room and he doesn't know if it's worth opening his eyes for, so he opens one eye and has a little look around. And then if it's worth it, he will raise both of his eyebrows as if pulling his eyes open. He is a character already. Must get it from his dad.

Like Father like son

I love this picture. Ben was crashed out in the hospital after having to take care of me and little Kai. Double duty. He was knackered! I think Kai definitely looks like dad!

Kai be jammin'

I think Kai looks so cute with the earphones on to get his hearing tested. He is just chilln' and relaxing. He passed with flying colours.

Grandma with Kai

Grandma thinks he is going to have olive eyes. Olive eyes????

Introducing Kai Benjamin Walters

Kai was born on 3 Jan 2008, 2.78 kilos (6.12 lbs) and 48 cm long. Ben teased me because the first thing I said when he was born was 'He is so small.' He is a tiny little guy, but my mom thinks he is going to be tall. Must be some genes in the family that go way back.

Baby Kai arrives at Hornsby Hospital

So, things didn't go as planned. (As I guess they always do when a baby is involved.) My body didn't like the induction medication and I had to have an emergency c-section. All went well and everyone was safe and healthy. Modern medicine - it's a miracle.

Yes, I know, yet another flattering photo of me. This is us entering the hospital so the doctor could induce me. They didn't know the cause of the rash and felt it was better just to get baby out and maybe that would clear it up. Hence, the very sexy attire. The rash made clothing quite unbearable. And yes, the rash mysteriously left after Kai came out. This rash made me quite popular in the hopsital. Nearly every baby doctor came by to see 'me' and every nurse who came in to attend me said - wow that's an impressive rash. Oh well, at least I will be remembered at Hornsby hospital.

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know, not the most flattering photo of me, but hey, I was 2 days away from my due date, covered in an enormously itchy rash, which no one had any cures or ideas of cause. So, needless to say, the smile was a bit forced.

Christmas Day - 2007

We celebrated by having a few people over and opening the traditional Christmas crackers. And then everyone has to wear these silly paper crowns. It was a lot of fun.

Christmas Eve at the Walters'

We finally had time to decorate for Christmas, 2 days before!

Our pot of gold

Believe it or not this tree was the cause of quite a fuss here during Christmas. We learned that this tree is the Australian Christmas bush and, I think due to a really wet summer this year, was in full bloom this year for Christmas. We had several people comment on it. I just thought it was a nice looking tree. And then we went to the mall and saw that people were selling it for $8 a branch. When we got home Ben stood outside looking at the bush - saying who knew we had gold growing in our front yard. He and my mom were talking about cutting branches down and setting up on the side of the road. I wasn't all that keen on the idea. We also had a man knock on our door and offer, free of charge, to trim this bush. I was thinking - yeah right - how stupid do you think I am. Some people.

My mom arrived in Sydney on the 13th for the big day. We took advantage of the time we had before Kai arrived to go to the Opera House to hear Handels Messiah. It was a fun night out. It was interesting to feel Kai's movements during the performance. He seems to be a real big fan.

Yes Jeanelle has a bit of a crafty side . . . but only a bit.

My first ever gingerbread house attempt. And I thought I did a pretty good job. It was a lot of fun to make it and I did nibble on a few pieces of gingerbread. Funnily enough, when we cracked into it on Chrstmas Day - it was way too sweet to eat. So now we have a one roof sided gingerbread house and we don't have the heart to throw out the rest. Hmmm . . . I wonder if it would last until next year???