17 months.

My life has been so much more complete in the past 17 months due to this gorgeous little boy. He gives me direction, purpose and fills my soul with goodness. Much more than I ever thought. In the past few days he has learned to kiss and I love how his hands frame my face to kiss me. He tells me all about the cars, trucks and motorbikes we see on the road and is so excited to see Leah when we get home. He's learning to become my helped by passing me clothes to put in the washer and turns off his heater and puts his pillow back in his bed. He likes to say hi now at the appropriate time and of course blows kisses at goodbye. Today I watched as he took 2 different pairs of shoes outside so Leah would have something to chew on!! He's a quick learner!

I am so grateful for the past 17 months. I am a lucky woman.

Caves Beach Sunday Sept 20,2009.

Go the Cats! and Avondale Fun Day

For the third year in a row the Geelong Cats have reached the Grand Final in the AFL. Colin was born in Geelong so it's the team the family goes for by default!! (Otherwise it would be the Sydney Swans who just happen to be red & white!) Last night it was the game between Collingwood and Geelong - a long standing rival for Colin and Rod. The Cats smashed the Magpies and pizza and friends were good!

Sunday was the annual Funday at Avondale School - the school we plan to send Benny when he is of age! It's a good effort with lots of rides, stalls, food and of course the petting zoo. Benny got right into it and loved it!

I think summer weather has finally arrived so the rest of the day will just be relaxing and maybe give the pool a good clean. My nappies are out drying on the line and I plan to use later today and tomorrow. I'm so hoping they work well!

Is it that bad?

I guess my son doesn't appreciate my sense of humour! I thought it would be funny. Obviously Benny doesn't! But he does like how I wrestle with him, chase him, read to him and play with him. He tells me all about the cars and trucks on the road that he sees and thinks every dog is named Leah. So he definitely has his own sense of humour! He enjoys throwing things off our deck and expects us to go and get things for him (or wants the dogs to return them to him!). The other night we could not find our remote for our tv. Looked under every cushion, in every drawer, under every toy but no remote. Then I thought maybe Benny took it outside. We happened to be watering our front garden at the time and wouldn't you believe that's where it was!! Colin, being so smart as he is, was able to retrieve it and it works fine.


The other thing that I am really excited about is using cloth nappies. Before I had children I had thought about it but more in a passing thought. Then I got into the routine of using disposables and that was that. My friend Jo, who has a son 8 weeks older than Benny, started using cloth nappies a little while ago and that got me thinking. So I did some research and got some of my own. Back in the day when they used cloth and pins it was pretty straight forward. Now, with the invention of the "modern" nappy, they is a whole range and different types. At first it is quite overwhelming but once you read a bit and realize why there are different types then it's not too bad. I'm going to get a few different types of nappies and see what I like (and what suits Benny). So I'm going to give it a go - because I can.

How cool is this?

I've been admiring this type of wall art for sometime and knew that I wanted something like this. A few months ago my sister-in-law Natalie, cousin-in-law Cheryl and myself went to a quilt and craft fair in Sydney. We found this little company and I knew right away that I loved this. It arrived last week and it is amazing!! It's in the entrance way as you come into our house. At the moment I've got my house pretty much how I want it. This is the icing on the cake.

My future soccer player!

We spend a lot of time outdoors and this is one of Benny's newest activities. He loves to tease Chewy with the ball and Chewy enjoys it just the same. I know that Chewy is super keen to have Benny bigger so he can throw the ball even further!

No more lying around!

This little man ain't happy just lying around in his pram anymore. Benzen usually gets to snuggle up in his cocoon in his Phil and Teds pram but now he wants to sit up and see the world. Yesterday we were out on our walk and he was trying to tell me that he had had enough of looking up at Mr Pink-Foot-Rabbit and his chymes. He wanted to see what was going on and check it out! I, of course, just thought he was hungry or just cranky for being out in the wind. I tried jogging to cheer him up - that wasn't it. I tried soothing him with the dummy - that wasn't it. I finally thought "hey, maybe he wants to sit up?" The moment, the moment, I rearranged the seating arrangement and got him up = HAPPY LITTLE FELLA! (That's all he was trying to tell me all along. Mom just has to figure it out by herself. Sometimes I'm just a slow learner.)

Now I've got to put the handy little bar across his seat so he doesn't fall out the front! It was also good timing that Benzen wanted to sit up because he has basically grown out of the cocoon. And conveniently the warmer weather is coming so he doesn't have to be bundled quite as much. (By the way - Benny is in the pram in the above picture. Just tucked away nicely having a nap while Colin played his last game of footy a few weeks back).

Today I worked again. It makes it so much easier having Colin come to work with me and look after Benny while I work. Colin brings in Benny for a feed and then they go out together and just hang out. That's what they get to do - just hang out. We'll see how long we can manage this!

I got back to my Pilates class again today too. Gotta work on my hamstring length. Terribly tight. But the class is good for me. And luckily for me Heather came too. What that meant was that Colin got to babysit three children! Wii and doritos was what kept the kiddies entertained!

Still trying to get my papers for the tax man sorted. What I don't understand is how much it costs to go the tax man to do my taxes for me, yet they do nothing to help me get myself organized. A checklist would be helpful to make sure I have all my paperwork. The tax office sends out packets of information to help people like me (ignorant accounting people that is) but yet accountants go to school for 4 years to be able to do tax. Right. A bit unfair if you ask me!! Anyways, I'll try and get it sorted by Friday. Doom day. But the refund cheque is always nice and I won't complain about that!

I just have one request - would the warm weather please come back! You were here and now you're gone. We miss you.

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