Thomas the Musical Prodigy...

Thomas really enjoys playing music. He will sit at a keyboard for ages and bang on the keys. I recently sat him at his own little piano toy and he just went crazy! He also loves to sing at the same time! Funny kid...

Thomas at home showing us his skills...

Aunty Flora

Thomas' great great Aunty Flora died. Amy's Dad's Dad's sister. The funny thing is, we never were able to take him to meet her. She would have been so proud of him and so happy. It's just one of those things where I (Amy) always got to go and see her because my parents took me, but now that I'm old and married we never went to see her - I didn't know how to get there, or how to arrange it, or what to say...

Aunty Flora was awesome. She loved God so much and loved her family so much. She looked after her husband, Uncle Bert, until he died six years ago, which was not easy cause he had all sorts of 'things' from being a prisoner of war. She loved to feed people! Anytime you showed up there'd be a full table waiting. She loved to hear us sing (poor old dear, he hearing mustn't have been too good). She always had lovely things to say. But most of all anytime anyone left her house she would wave a white hankie until the car was completely out of sight. This has not been lost. My entire Dad's side of the family will now (somewhat competitively) wave a white...well, what ever is in sight really... to say farewell...has been known to include hankies, tissues, teatowels, bedsheets, cats, and almost babies....

I don't feel 'guilty' about not taking him - it was just one of those things that didn't work out. But I know that he is going to miss out on knowing an awesome lady. One whose family will not forget her and has been forever changed by her love, hospitality, kindness and dedication to God.

I thank God for people like Aunty Flora, and remember her with warmth. Thomas has seven great grandparents still alive(! that's amazing) and he goes to see them often. Just like in "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge" by Mem Fox, our lives should all be touched by those who have lived longer, loved more and remembered all our secrets!

My Grandpa (on the left) and his two remaining siblings Aunty Joy and Uncle Reg

Funny how funerals bring people together... Our family minus Daniel and Geoff

More parties!

Aunty Karis is going overseas... sad...

Thomas is going to miss her... but will keep up to date on facebook.

Parties and Kitties

So we have had a busy month so far, with much more to come. Thomas had his first meeting with a cat - Gandolf - at Fi and Sol's house. He seemed to like it and Gandie was so patient!

Then on Saturday night we had a dress up party. It was Nicole's 18th and it was Disco themed!! We had a god time getting silly... and Thomas looked great as always.

How time flies...

I can't believe it's been six months, and coming up to seven now... It seems like he was born yesterday - and then at the same time I can't remember life without him! The moment he was born everything changed. Life just had a whole new meaning. It was pretty special. I was in total shock! I just looked down at this little alien type thing and I was in awe. A baby! I knew it was coming but I wasn't ready for it - I don't think you can ever really be ready for it. He was so perfect. Then I was completely exhausted! And I don't think that's changed much...

We have been through so much together as a family already. Christmas was pretty special. He was so tiny and sleepy... Then both of our birthdays and Mother's day... He's such a central part of our lives. It's funny, some people have a very difficult time when a baby comes - so much to negotiate and fight about. But we have just come closer, and have more and more love to give. Not that it's a walk in the park - we still disagree about heaps - but Thomas has made so much more out of our lives and our relationship. What a gift.

So anyway - I wouldn't change it for the world. He's awesome.

Justin's Wedding

Justin (Carey's brother) and Katya got married this weekend and provided some great photo opportunities for Thomas! He's such a cutie. The wedding was a really great day and it gave us the opportunity to catch up with lots of family. It's nice to go to a wedding that is genuinely loving and not 'showy'. It was a Tambourine in a small old church which was so classy. Overall a great day. After that we went to Curtis' 21st for a little while too. So a pretty big day all in all, but Thomas was a perfect angel all day.

Thomas and Daddy

Thomas' Teeth!
He has discovered balloons...

New Beginnings

Okay - so filled with good intentions I began a blog for pregnancy updates... however, Thomas is now six months old, so I guess I forgot to keep updating the silly thing...

New Beginnings!

New beginnings for this blog - and for our family.

Thomas Carey LaBan was born 11th November 2007. I like that he was born on Rememberance Day and that his birthdate rhymes "eleven, eleven, oh seven". He was a beautiful newborn and has grown into a beautiful baby boy.

Six months is such a long time in baby days. He now has teeth. He smiles all the time - at everyone. Shop ladies love him! I can hardly do shopping without getting stopped sixteen times with the good old "Oh, he's so happy, gee he looks like you, wow, what a lovely baby" etc...

He talks a lot - like his father I guess. He sits on his own. He hold his arms up for you to pick him up. He eats "solid" (very mushy) food. He drinks from a bottle now.

He is the joy and core of our hearts. He is amazing and beautiful and wonderful etc etc etc.

We like him!