Gabbie's Blog

You might have gathered...

2011-11-16T13:47:00.002+11:00

So life has moved at a cracking pace this this little blog had an update.

The boys are older

We live in a new area

We're older

We have new careers

We have a new car

Our faces are a little more lined

Our bellies a little fuller

nevermind

We're definitely happier

Come and see

Hello blogpage my old friend

2009-05-07T20:58:00.002+10:00

I've been very slack lately when it comes to blogging, but with a very energetic 2 1/2 year old and a now mobile 11 month old, my days are full of ......changing direction for Ali when he heads for the cables and trying to keep Jake entertained, while simutaneously educating him AND not drive myself to drink...yet. Whilst doing all of this, we managed to escape to the Hunter for a mini break (HA!) with all the grandparents, and then home again to christen Ali and a little barbie back at ours. I say HA! because anytime spent with toddlers and babies does not = a break. Even with so many extra hands to help out and entertain Jake and Ali, they still rely on me to feed/kiss better mama and put to sleep. I told a girlfriend recently about mine and Nath's deal about Saturday's being my day off I(sometimes) and she's implemented the same and run with it and planning a WEEKEND away in Melbourne....imagine - a whole two days away from pooey naps, runny noses, feeds, baths, sleep deprivation....but then again, it would mean a whole two days without "mama", kiss it betters, kisses in general, cat in the hat (for the millionth time!), and my two beautiful boys. I will have to wean myself off slowly by extending my Saturday mornings into maybe a night one of these days - who's with me? Love, Gab

It's been a while...

2009-04-07T10:01:00.005+10:00

here's an update: we went to see Justine and Jake got to meet her:

Jake's tried dropping his afternoon nap, but some days, he just can't quite make it through without one: this was taken at 5:30pm.....

We went on a picnic and Nath tried to teach Jake to ride his trike......basically, he pushed him around the bike track while Jake took in the view

And Jake and Ali continued to bond as brothers tend to do! All is good!!

We baked a cake!

2009-03-12T11:57:00.002+11:00

A day at the museum

2009-02-19T21:41:00.002+11:00

Like the movie (A Night at the Museum) but in the daytime. And instead of a security guard, my sons turned into a shark (Ali) and a turtle (Jake).....oh, and for a change, I get to feature in my blog in a pic....see, I do exist!

Boy in blue

2009-02-19T21:10:00.003+11:00

The many moods of Ali - all within a matter of minutes! A true Gemini.

The littlest boxer

2009-02-19T20:51:00.003+11:00

Now that he's nearly two and a half, Jake thinks it's about time to get into shape. He's now got a personal trainer who takes him through a gruelling boxing regime.

Superhero!

2009-02-19T20:42:00.002+11:00

Catch up - in pictures

2009-02-08T09:05:00.002+11:00

The Smiths back in Bondi - for the day

happy new year

2009-01-12T08:37:00.002+11:00

Christmas with the Smith boys

2008-12-25T22:40:00.002+11:00

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T22:22:00.002+11:00

from left: matt, kelly, nathan, mum, dad, me mmm..who cooked the turkey? it was good!

nath, matt, kell

5 years on...

2008-12-08T16:42:00.002+11:00

Dec 6 2003

Dec 6 2008 Who would've thought we'd come this far?

Reading to my little brother

2008-12-08T16:35:00.004+11:00

Jake loooooooooooves his little brother...here he is reading him his bedtime story.

Early Morning Self Potrait

2008-12-08T16:30:00.001+11:00

Ali: too cute for words

2008-11-16T00:25:00.002+11:00

What we did today Pt 3

2008-11-16T00:07:00.002+11:00

What we did today Pt 2

2008-11-15T23:40:00.003+11:00

What we did today Pt 1

2008-11-15T23:16:00.001+11:00

Ali: promoted to the big chair

2008-11-15T23:03:00.003+11:00

Move over Jake, I'm coming through! Ali takes over the high chair, but he still looks tiny in it.

Brothers

2008-11-15T22:51:00.001+11:00

Ali: another first: tooth

2008-11-15T22:47:00.003+11:00

Quick on the heels of his first solid food, a first tooth made an appearance yesterday. Not quite clear here, but believe me, as a breast feeding mum, it's there!

Ali: first solid food

2008-11-15T22:37:00.003+11:00

Ali had solid food for the first time this week. Boring old rice cereal, so we added a little pureed apple yesterday and although he's not showing it, he loved it!

Here's my Tiger Face

2008-11-15T22:26:00.003+11:00

Jake (and Ali) attended his friends Finn and Jasmin's joint 2nd birthday party last weekend and Jake got his face painted for the first time. He's was a tiger, but the fairy bread and birthday cake smudged most of it off....

2008-10-31T12:59:00.001+11:00

Nathan was the inspiration for some shots of Jake wearing this Peter Rabbit onesie when he was about the same age as Ali is now.....I wanted to get some of Ali too, but he's not quite at the sitting up stage, so these will have to do....and one more of Jake in it too.

The Smiths take a holiday

2008-10-31T10:13:00.004+11:00

We recently went on holiday to the Gold Coast for a week to catch up with Nana Rose. It was surprise for Nana as she didn't know we were coming up. It was lovely to see her and the boys loved spending special time with Nana while mum and dad got to enjoy some sun.

A day in the sun

2008-10-08T10:26:00.002+11:00

Jake & Ali: today

2008-09-30T18:04:00.002+10:00

Ali makes bubbles; Jake wipes them off

Jake: today

2008-09-30T18:00:00.003+10:00

Sigh........how did we get so lucky?

Ali: today

2008-09-30T17:54:00.003+10:00

"No pictures please"

Just because...

2008-09-28T23:00:00.002+10:00

Ali and his Uncle Matt get to know each other better. A supermodel in the making (not that I'm biased, but check out the walk, the pout, the "Blue Steel"..it's a certainty!

Happy Birthday Daddy

2008-09-28T22:52:00.003+10:00

Jake helps his dad blow out the candles on his birthday cake. Happy Birthday Nathan - we love you! Gab, Jake & Ali

For Nana Rose

2008-09-22T08:23:00.003+10:00

Jake's 2nd Birthday

2008-09-22T07:58:00.003+10:00

To celebrate Jake turning two, we had a small barbie at the local park. It was a lovely day, but as you can see, by cake cutting time, it had been a very long day for a very tired and grumpy birthday boy.

I wear my sunglasses indoors

2008-09-22T07:49:00.002+10:00

Ali gets harrassed by the puppet-arrazzi!! No pictures please!

Hugs

2008-09-10T18:12:00.001+10:00

Jake had a play date with his friend Ruby today. Here he is thanking her for the visit with a great big hug. Awwww.

A day at the farm

2008-09-10T18:07:00.002+10:00

Keeping a toddler busy is not easy....Jake needs to be constantly entertained. Luckily, Sydney has a lot to offer but usually at a price. Fairfield City Farm is great option. Not expensive, not too far from home, and a great day out for kids of all ages. Jake loved it and slept the whole way home after a big day. Ali seemed to enjoy it too so double bonus!

Father's Day 2008

2008-09-10T18:04:00.003+10:00

Father's Day was celebrated at our house this year. Mum, dad, Matt and Kelly came over and a feast (as usual) was enjoyed by all...except Ali who's on an all milk diet. Happy Father's Day Nafe!

Look what my nana gave me!

2008-09-10T17:56:00.002+10:00

Ali in his new duds....thanks Nana Rose.

Mothers Group Class of 2008

2008-08-31T00:09:00.004+10:00

In the beginning, there was 13 new mums and 13 new babies....

On Sunday there was 9 not so new anymore mums, 9 nearly 2 year olds, 2 new little brothers and one new little sister, 2 babies on the way. It's nice to know that after nearly two years, our little mother's group still has each other to turn to for advice, company and a chat. Thanks Eileen, Yasmin, Tabitha, Jo, Dale, Sooz, Amie, Adi, Kerrie, Gillian,Stella, Dina and Liz, I couldn't have made it these past two years without you.

Curls just like mumma

2008-08-31T00:03:00.003+10:00

Ready for any occasion..

2008-08-30T23:51:00.002+10:00

The abuelos and Ali - ready a formal night out

Big brother

2008-08-30T23:40:00.002+10:00

I love seeing their relationship with each other evolve. Jake loves being a big brother and Ali loves being loved by him. Lately, his head turns at the sound of Jake's voice and a big smile spreads across his face when he comes into view. Wouldn't it be nice if it lasted like this forever? Here's hoping....

Hand me downs

2008-08-17T21:01:00.004+10:00

This onesie was a gift from a friend (hi Celeste) for Jake when he was born and being a younger brother, Ali gets it as a hand-me-down. Here's the two of them modelling the said onesie albeit Ali at 10 weeks (and fitting into it better than Jake did) and Jake at 12 weeks. My boys!

Jake on the left, Ali on the right

Just because....

2008-08-11T16:51:00.002+10:00

I LOVE this pic

9 weeks going on 5 months

2008-08-11T16:39:00.003+10:00

Ali was 9 weeks last Thursday but is already insize 00 (for 3 - 6 month olds). He can hold his head up, follow you around the room with his eyes, and chats away in his own goo ga language.

Backyard shananigans

2008-08-11T16:25:00.002+10:00

Meet the grandparents (& auntie too)

2008-08-11T16:17:00.002+10:00

I love this photo We visited abuelo to say happy birthday and auntie Mariana was there too.

Happy Birthday Abuelo!

2008-08-07T20:01:00.002+10:00

When I grow up......

2008-08-07T19:51:00.001+10:00

I wanna be a ROCK STAR!!!!!

The Latest and Greatest from Jake and Ali

2008-08-07T19:29:00.002+10:00

Self (family) potrait Ali smiling Brothers in the morning So serious Such a funny little man

Jake: 22 months - Ali: 2 months = brotherly love

A new hat

2008-08-07T19:05:00.003+10:00

Jake likes to help at cooking time......he here models the latest in collanders!

Ali and his grandad

2008-07-29T18:58:00.002+10:00

My dad came for a visit with Ali and Jake today and this is his first pic with his new grandson, Ali.

Ali at 6 weeks

2008-07-22T18:53:00.004+10:00

New favourite pic

2008-06-28T11:59:00.002+10:00

HAIRCUT!

2008-06-19T15:36:00.004+10:00

BEFORE

AND AFTER

My baby's all grown up and truly become a little boy........when did THAT happen?

New outfit courtesy of Nana Rose

2008-06-19T15:31:00.003+10:00

My Nana knitted me this beautiful jumper/jersey and matching hat....so I did an impromptu spot of modelling....next stop, Australia's Next Top Model!!

Out with Dad & Nana Rose - Pt 4 In the Park

2008-06-19T15:27:00.001+10:00

Don't know who had more fun, Jake or Dad!

Out with Dad & Nana Rose - Pt 3 Chasing Birds...again

2008-06-19T15:24:00.002+10:00

The wind can play havoc with your hair do (or don't in Jake's case!).

Out with Dad & Nana Rose - Pt 2 On the beach

2008-06-19T14:36:00.003+10:00

You gotta be quick around Jake. One minute it's "oh look at the water"...the next, "GERONIMO!"

Out with Dad & Nana Rose - Pt 1 Chasing Birds

2008-06-18T15:52:00.004+10:00

Since I've been housebound with Ali (by choice, don't like taking little ones out before they're at least a month old but that's just me)....Nath took his mum and Jake out to lunch at Watson's Bay....and didn't they have a great old time!

A little Bro for Big Brother Jake

2008-06-08T18:01:00.003+10:00

Jake has a new brother! Ali (pronounced: Ah-Lee) James Smith was born on Thursday, June 5th at 3:21pm at a healthy 3.25kg and 52cm long.

Post Wiggles Show

2008-05-31T10:23:00.002+10:00

Henry The Octopus fan Jake decided to model the latest Henry look - sans clothes!

What's new in the world?

2008-05-31T10:18:00.002+10:00

Can't get started without my coffee

2008-05-31T10:13:00.002+10:00

SNEAK PEEK: MMJ preview

2008-04-26T19:09:00.003+10:00

COMING SOON!

I say, what a handsome chap, what?

2008-04-26T19:04:00.002+10:00

Smart, funny and good looks now to boot! What more could a girl want in a husband.

We're going to the zoo..

2008-03-22T10:30:00.003+11:00

Mumma, dadda, nana, abuelo and abuela and I all went to the zoo this week.......special thanks to Uncle Georgey for getting us the tickets!

NANA!

2008-03-22T10:26:00.001+11:00

My nana came for a visit!!

my friend Erin

2008-03-22T10:13:00.004+11:00

My good friend Erin came for a visit last week. We had lots of fun watching my favourite dvd of my other favourite girl, Justine. Mum and Erin's mum Eileen had fun catching up too and mum looks forward to doing it again very soon!

As per this last photo shows, we were pretty tired by the end of the visit.....just enough time for a quick puff on my pseudo "cigar" and we were done!

Ready for the Circus

2008-03-22T10:03:00.003+11:00

With my curly mo and my ponytail: I'm a shoe in for ringmaster! I can even do tricks!!

Tape is good fun...

2008-02-22T17:33:00.004+11:00

My ever changing moods...

2008-02-22T17:22:00.004+11:00

The "Witching Hour" as most mums know, can be a nightmare of undress, struggle, bath, struggle, dry, struggle, dress, struggle, feed, bottle, struggle, bed. It's also exactly the same moment that your little darling will feel the need to express every emotion on the spectrum and display it with full force! Case in point.......

Day out with the abuelos

2008-02-17T09:17:00.003+11:00

A lovely day for a stroll with my abuelos. We went to Darling Harbour and watched the dragonboat races, had some lunch, went on the carousel and played in the park. Lots of fun.

On yer bike!

2008-02-17T09:07:00.001+11:00

Jake always wants to go out for a ride. He's definitely not a homebody!

Chillin' Out

2008-01-24T17:36:00.000+11:00

Enjoying the afternoon sun, contemplating my navel....

A day at the beach II

2008-01-18T21:14:00.001+11:00

A day at the beach

2008-01-18T21:09:00.000+11:00

What started out as a red hot beach day turned into a cloudy but still enjoyable day out at bondi. Jake loved the sand, mum loved taking pics of him, and the rest of us enjoyed stuffing our faces at Speedos. YUM!

Happy 45th Anniversary Mum and Dad

2008-01-16T10:04:00.000+11:00

On Friday 11th January, mum and dad celebrated 45 years of wedded bliss. So on Saturday, the whole family went out to dinner to celebrate. Here's the happy bunch, (don't take notice of the look on my face - I didn't think i was in this shot!).

Zac and Jake: a play date

2008-01-16T10:00:00.000+11:00

Artist at work II

2008-01-16T09:58:00.001+11:00

A cackie hander in the making.....just like his mumma!

Tunnel Vision

2008-01-16T09:51:00.000+11:00

Presents!

2007-12-26T11:33:00.001+11:00

This is my new camera smile. CHEEEEEEEESE!

Christmas Eve Dinner

2007-12-26T11:27:00.001+11:00

Matt and Kelly Mum and Dad Nath and I Our table For the first time, Nath and I got to host Christmas Eve dinner at our new home. It was a close call with the dining table only arriving a few days before the night, but we made it. Being Uruguayan, we traditionally celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve with a dinner and as per usual, there was enough food to feed a small nation! We'll be eating left overs for a week! Presents for the big kids were opened at midnight (another tradition) but Jake slept through it all and got to open his on the big day.

Christmas 2007

2007-12-26T11:21:00.000+11:00

BEFORE..

AND AFTER.....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

2007-12-26T11:15:00.000+11:00

Bath in the big new house

2007-12-26T11:10:00.000+11:00

Weeeeee! I have a bathtub!

Artist at work

2007-12-10T18:39:00.001+11:00

Getting the creative juices flowing in my new room!

New home

2007-12-10T18:33:00.000+11:00

Here's what we see when we stand at our front door looking out. Look! We have a front garden....noice.

Happy Anniversary/Birthday to us/me!

2007-12-10T18:25:00.000+11:00

December 6 saw our 4th anniversary celebrated at our new "local" restaurant. We took the baby and a bottle of bubbly and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Cheers to us! Love you husband!

Oh, and December 7, I turned 40.....no biggie (or at least that's what I keep telling everyone and maybe soon I'll believe them!!!!)

What a difference two and a bit weeks make..

2007-12-10T18:12:00.000+11:00

So much has happened since I last blogged. In the blink of an eye but alas, not on a whim, we moved house. We have left Bondi behind, along with lots of lovely friends and support for me from my mother's group girls (I miss you guys heaps!!) and not to mention, the beach, the surf and the lovely afternoon sea breeze. But we luckily make up for it for all the new lovely space we have in our new home. Jake's loving it. He crawls (or cruises holding on - but still no walking on his own) from room to room exploring.

Here's some before pics with after (of the new place) to follow.

MG Picnic

2007-11-20T08:53:00.000+11:00

A year has passed since we came together as our Mothers Group, so we decided to celebrate with a picnic at the kids park. Most of the mums and bubs made it with a few MIA (Hi to Dina & Daniel, Yasmin & Louis, Stella & Jake and Jo & Bridie), you were missed!

I see a firetruck.....

2007-11-10T17:53:00.000+11:00

The Abuelos (Grandparents in spanish) got Jake this truck ride on for his birthday. It plays this song that I'm sure Nana Rose still has playing in her head ("I see a firetruck, a big red shiny firetruck, I see a firetruck, coming down the street"). Well Jake has finally figured out that if you "walk" with your feet whilst riding you can actually go forward instead of just pushing back and ending up against the wall. Check him out!

Weekend

2007-10-29T21:29:00.001+11:00

We went to the Blue Mountains for a little getaway and R and R. Wentworth Falls Lake had some lovely ducks that Jake just had to feed and a swing set to play on. The rest of the time was just relaxing.

Grandpa

2007-10-22T18:53:00.001+10:00

My mum and dad came round yesterday for the regular dose of Jake. Mum had a full digital camera and needed to download to re-load with more pics of course! While scrolling through some gorgeous pics, I stumbled across this unfortgettable shot. Mum's pretty handy with the Sony huh?

Sigh...

2007-10-22T18:50:00.001+10:00

Even covered in dirt and banana, those big brown eyes just kill me everytime!

If that superhero thing doesn't work out....

2007-10-22T18:46:00.001+10:00

Jake can always fall back on his photography skills. Here's one he took of me...with dad's help.

Oh, and I was just trialing Jake's cape out for a flying inspection. He caught me in the act!

A superhero to save us all

2007-10-22T18:42:00.000+10:00

Just don't ask what his super power is.....I don't think he's quite decided yet between slobbering villans to death and neutralising them with his overpowering gasses!

Party Party

2007-10-08T16:45:00.000+10:00

Thanks to all who attended and special thanks to Jo Smith and Nana Rose for these pics....otherwise we wouldn't have any as Ma and Pa forgot their camera...DUH!

A year in the making...

2007-09-24T21:08:00.000+10:00

On September 21st, Jake turned 1.

It's so hard to believe that a year has passed since that day when Nathan and I held our breath to hear that sweet sound of his first cry as he was born. It had felt like the longest 9 months till he got here safe and sound thanks to his doctors and the lovely staff at Royal Hospital for Women at Randwick.

In the past 12 months I have felt such a wide range of emotions, more than I thought possible, and some, all at the same time. Above all else, what I feel most is more. More love than I ever thought possible (when you become a parent, I think that almost goes without saying); more alive - a kind of zinging in my veins at the smallest of feats achieved by someone who I had a hand in creating; more on the verge of tears at any given moment than any old PMS can enduce; and life just is fuller and richer for having him in my life.

Looking back on this past year, I'm thankful for so many things. I'm thankful firstly for meeting Nathan, for knowing he was the right man for me, for always. For knowing he was to be the father of my children and for giving me my children (Billie and Jake). For the ups and the downs that these children have brought our lives, for without the lows, there wouldn't be a way up. For the love and support of our families throughout everything....when we didn't appreciate it and when we realised later how we should. For my dearest, darling, gorgeous girlfriends. The ones who cry with me when I'm down, laugh with me when I'm up and at me when I'm trip over my own feet (hell, they know I'd laugh at them!). You've been in my life for so long; some of you have come and gone and come back again for more, and others have been there since the year dot; I love you guys and want to thank you for your friendship and love.

For my beautiful boy. I don't think they've invented words that have the capacity to express the love I feel for you. If you combined the love I have for the people I mentioned above, that is, you father, your grandparents, your uncle, your Godparents, and all your "uncles" and "aunties" it might come close. In the words of Anita Baker, "you bring me joy". Your smile would make me warm on a chilly winter night. Your besos (kisses) leave me covered in drool, but happy. When you cry out in the middle of the night and I stumble out of bed and stub my toe on the way to put your dummy back in, I'm tired, grumpy and have a sore toe, but I always fall back to sleep, the sore toe gets better, and mostly, I'm greatful that you're here. Seeing you go from such a tiny little thing (all 3.045kg of you) to such a big, strong, strapping lad makes me so proud to be your mum. I try to not think to much of what the years to come might bring, but that's not because I'm afraid of what might be. It's because I'm trying really hard to just savour every day we get to share with you. Life is in the little things Jake. And those are the moments that I love the best.

Happy Birthday Beautiful Boy.

Love, Mumma.