Spring has sprung!

The big milestone for this month is that Benzen has found his feet and likes to put them in his mouth. Talk about flexible. I'm getting to a Pilates class once a week and I can only dream of getting my head anywhere near my feet! I love the pure happiness that Benzen has about everything. Just opening his blinds in the morning brings a great big smile to his face. Making funny noises brings out a giggle in him! Love it.

Heather and I are having great times just hanging out together. I think we are taking full advantage of this year together. With three kids between us we need to shuffle car seats around between our vans to get around. Friday got us out on a walk and then grocery shopping before Carter's tennis lesson. This is what shopping and a van full of car seats looks like .

A smile for Benzen's Grampa Wright.
It seems to me that the month of September which is the first month of Spring has definitely brought warmer weather. This winter in particular has been a bit chilly and I've been hanging for warmer weather. Sabbath brought a glorious day of sunshine. We got to Sabbath school and then decided to skip church to go on a picnic. We took Philip, Heather, Carter and Madeline along with Grampa Ron and Gramma Robyn to Shingle Splitters. There was warm wind and good food! Bring on more picnics I say!



Avondale school had a fun day which I have never attended in the past 6 years. Having kids gives me plenty of excuses to do things I don't normally do. So loading the kids into the vans off we went. Jumping castles, food stalls, baby animals, book sale (does it get any better than 50 cent books) and the highlight for Philip and Carter was a helicopter ride! I was thoroughly impressed with what they had there and will plan to go again next year.
Heather and I decided to be a bit adventurous and left the kiddies with Philip and Colin and headed to the shops. I had full intentions of getting some new summer tops and a new swimsuit but came away with two pair of pants! Just what happens I guess. All it means is that we'll have to go again another day!!
Monday finally saw me able to clean the pool and finish up all the folding! I have my daily to-do lists that I actually take all week to complete. And that's okay. This week we've got our tax man appointment and I need to finish a manual I've been working on for work. I have a few letters I want to post and a list of things to get ready for big camp! A day of work, a trip to Ikea and a session on starting solids! A little busy but manageable.
Today: a walk is on the agenda and the manual to work on. Otherwise let's just play and make noises!

Here I am again.

Hi! Over the past few days I've had a few people mention to me that I haven't updated my blog in awhile. It got me thinking that people actually check it and like it! So thank you. I have never been someone who has kept a faithful journal or diary. I've got a few travel journals that have started out well and well by the third day has dwindled off. So I don't have high expectations of this little thing but I'll post when I've been inspired.

So on to all the news over the past 7 months . . .

My little man Benzen Ron Burzacott born April 20, 2008. What an amazing day of his birth day. I found the delivery empowering, scary, short, exhilarating and oh so worth it! I had a midwife who was so right for me and Colin. She was able to read me and got me to where I wanted to be.

We picked the name Benzen about a week before he was born. We liked the short forms of Ben so we decided to go for a little bit of a twist and throw the z into the name. We know of no other Benzen so he can grow into the name and make it his own. Ron is for Colin's dad who we both admire so much. He is kind, considerate, thoughtful and someone who adores his family. And the Burzacott part is to link us all together!

This photo was taken on the first ride in the car on the way home from hospital. In the past 4 1/2 months Benzen usually loves his car rides. He can fall asleep and enjoys talking to anyone who is in the car.


So much wonderful things have happened since Benzen was born. I will try and share with photos and stories over the next little while. But one of the most special things that have happened is that my brother Philip, his wife Heather and their two kids Carter and Madeline have moved to Australia for a year. Can I just say how spoiled I am?? This was one of the first photos of Madeline giving Benzen a cuddle when she first met him. Yeah, it's blurry but isn't that the way life is? Both Carter and Madeline adore Benzen and love to give him lots of love and cuddles. This next year will be full of life, love and happiness!


I'll leave you with those photos for now. As for today I've got about 4 loads of laundry to fold (my least favourite job ever), papers to organize for the tax man, clean the pool , make my bed, run a few errands and get out for a walk. Spaghetti and meat balls are on the menu for dinner tonight. And I get to hear about Carter's swimming lesson today! I'm off to hang a load to laundry out!

Pregnancy update in photos!

Someone other than Mommy and Daddy is going to love this baby!! Look at this face. This doggie is going to be so protective ! Leah just loves to be around people and takes a special liking to little kids. She just can't get close enough to people.


Chewy on the other hand - well he likes his space. I think he might be a little put out when this little person arrives. He likes to do his own thing. But when he wants something from you - particularly when he wants you to throw his kong - he'll let you know. And he's a little persistent too.

And for those who are desperate for a photo update of this pregnant goddess check this out! 30 weeks and counting. I think I'm leaning subconsciously just to make my tummy appear that much bigger! Work has become interesting. I've got this one little room that I work in and usually I can squeeze between the bed and the bookcase to get out. Lately it's becoming a bit of a joke. I can no longer squeeze my tummy to get past! I think the patients enjoy seeing me trying to get out!

Exhausted . . .

This is what one tired little dog looks like after a night out. Who needs a cat when we've got Super Chewy!! Sometime this little monkey doesn't want to come in at night because he is on a mission. And this is the end result:

These things scurry around the house, through the attic, I think, just to tease Chewy. But look who wins in the end!! I need to get a photo of Colin with his big boots on and his fishing net with Chewy his sidekick out "ratting". It really does keep me entertained.

Pregnancy update: 29 weeks and counting. 7 weeks of work left! Missed out on my ob-gyn appointment this morning because of a big fire on the F3. Freeway closed and traffic backed up on the Pacific Hwy. This won't happen when I'm in labour will it? Otherwise I'm feeling good. I'll post photos tonight. Need to buy a few more tops I think. But overall I can't complain. People are convinced we're having a girl. We'll have to wait and see.

This past weekend was Australia Day. So between picnics, birthday BBQ's and cleaning the house, I relaxed quite a bit. Maybe too much? But I enjoyed it. The tennis was good, cricket was average and the 2 books I read was worth it!

Still have some organizing to get done (maybe that will wait for Mom to come. She sure is good at doing stuff like that . . . ) before this little person arrives. But I'm not stressing. What gets done gets done and what doesn't, doesn't. Simple. All about simplicity!

Off to work.

Just a moment

I'm pregnant. If anyone still checks this blog this is my excuse for leaving nothing here for months! I figure it's the best excuse ever and one I only get to use for a small (very small) portion of my life. I'm now 18 weeks pregnant. Amazing to think how slow/fast the time goes. I don't plan on posting much on this blog in the near future. Maybe when the baby arrives I might. (And then you'll be bombarded with baby photos!!) I am back into my creativity after my head in a bucket for so long. And with the silly season upon us (6 weeks until santa arrives) I have a few things to do.
So on that note - if you want to drop me a line here's my email: burzacotts@gmail.com. Otherwise I'll see you when I see you! :)

Random thoughts

Wouldn't I love to know what Chewy is thinking. With a look like that . . . who's to know??












My in-laws have graciously given me a beautiful old bank desk for my art room. The tables I've had before would shake a bit when my sewing machine would get up to speed. This table has been stored in their garage and I thought it would look rather nice in my art room. Now my plan is to paint and recover some old chairs that I found down in this shack on our property. I'll share photos when I get them done!!!







One of the biggest hates that I have is folding laundry. Much to the embarrassment of my parents this is my guest bedroom. The laundry comes off the line and gets put on the bed. When I get tired of the look then I'll eventually fold it. My first college roommate, Shauna, would fold my laundry for me while I would read a story. She knew how much I hated folding. She's truly a gracious person!




Here in Australia we hang our laundry out to dry. In winter that can be a little tricky. I finally convinced Colin to buy me a dryer! (Probably a week after my family left who had been here for a month!!) So, they'll just have to come again to use it!!









My gorgeous Leah. Playing cutesy. Love my dogs. Always.

Little surprises at Maplegum

The beauty of living in the country is the wildlife that we get to see. These guys were found shortly after we moved in and Colin took these photos. The photo below shows how little they were. Kind of reminded me of the books I used to read as a kid "Frog and Toad Together". Did anyone else read these books? Can you imagine if these little guys fell in the pool? Disastrous!! There are down sides of finding wildlife. Just the other day Colin killed a baby brown snake. They sound simple but they happen to be the deadliest in Australia. And it was a baby. Where's the momma??? Just had to share this cute photo with you!

Good things

Nothing like freshly squeezed orange juice to get you going in the morning. I've had a bit of a cold for the past week and this gave me a good kick of vitamin C. The funny thing about being sick and working with people all day is the free advice they just have to share with you. One wanted to give me antibiotics right then and there. Another gave me this recipe for a concoction that I think would work if you lived as a hermit. The ingredients were so potent! But it's nice they want me to get better!

I'm a bit of a reader. I need to read before I go to sleep. I love books. A must. I found this new author Jodi Picoult, and I'm totally into her books. A must read. This is my bedside table.

This is Colin's bedside table. He's a scientist and not much into books. He'll watch it on DVD, but read? Little chance. But at least someone is reading something educational to better our life! Gotta be thankful for that!

As mentioned in previous post it was our anniversary. So no better way then to take the dogs to the beach for a good run and play. Leah loves the water and both the dogs play running races! Pure joy on their faces!


Did you notice the hair cut? I got bored! Love it. It's a bit funky! Something I do about every 6 years or so!!

Have a great day. Do something fun for you!

5 years

5 years today. We've come so far and look forward to going even further! I love you. xxoo

End of week.

What a week. Already finished the first week of July. Can you believe it? At the beginning of every month I will ask my a patients, "Can you believe it's already (insert date)"? We're half way done 2007. Amazing. I think I've done a post about how fast time is going. Too fast.

But I must say this: life is good.

Sure, some things stink. Others smell really, really bad. But do I have anything serious to complain about?

The week started off with a lovely birthday brunch with our good friends Janelle and Graham and their 2 year old Bonnie. I really must do more brunches. Easy, yummy food with good friends.

Then more good friends from Melbourne arrived. Neda and Daz drove up and spent some time with us and Scaz and Robyn. Such a delight to see them and their 8 month old Jalen. Inspiring people. Full of wisdom, creativity and laughter. Thank you for support and good times.

The rest of the week just seemed to go by smoothly. Got to make cards last night with Lisa and Sharlene. We started getting together about 3 years ago once a week for a little while. Then took a couple of winters off and now get together for a night of chit chat, artwork and sometimes so baking!! Lucky for me they like to come to my house so I don't have to wonder out in the cold ( and besides Col's got our car for footy training).

This afternoon I got off work at 1 pm and then sat outside in the warm sun reading some material for a course I have this weekend. Women's waterworks. Such a good book and I intend to learn a ton so I can help women with their independence!

Then we've got a 4th of July party and a girls night out at the movies. Sounds good!!

Oh, and the photo was taken from Taronga Zoo in Sydney. What a view.

Thanks for all the comments for Colin's birthday. He appreciated it!

Photo's continued

This Sweet Pea did so well with the traveling. She was such a good little girl and look how adorable she is!!


We went down to Manly Beach for a few days and that was a highlight for all of us. Great spot just to hang out. And Heather and I got to spend a few hours at the shopping centre!!



Grandma had the knack of holding Madeline and she would just fall asleep. This photo is taken from Grandma's view of looking down at her. Grandma loved how her eyelashes were so delicate and beautiful. I couldn't agree more!


It was nice to spend time with both sides of my family now. This is Ellana and Carter at Soilders beach after a scuba dive( by my Dad, Scaz and myself) and a picnic. Another lovely relaxing day!


It was such a delight to have my Grandma come visit too. She is 84 years old and such a trooper. She was the first one up every morning and out for a walk. Every morning. She would stoke up the fire to keep us warm and would clean up in her own quiet way. Sometimes I got bossy and told her to sit down and relax!! I do hope she comes again. I've told her that I'll keep her room just for her!!



A sunrise off Manly (photo by my M0m):

My family - the beach bums!

After much anticipation (and many groans from those who have been checking my blog for awhile now), here are some photos of my family's holiday out here. It was such a good time. We spent a bit of time at the beach and just hanging out. Oh, how nice it would be to have them around the corner!!

THE COOL DUDE CARTER:

SEARCHING FOR THAT PERFECT WAVE:

MOM LOVED HAVING MADELINE IN THE BEAN WRAP:

NOTHING BUT AIR:

EVEN GRANDMA GOT TO PLAY BEACH SOCCER:

LOOKING FOR THAT SHARK (I'm not making it up):

I THINK SOMEONE DROPPED IN ON ME!:

SURFER GIRL:
(Heather caught her first wave in to get away from the shark)

CARTER'S GORGEOUS LITTLE FEET:

MY DAD FEELING RIGHT AT HOME: