Well, t'was the day of Christmas yesterday and how cold was Melbourne!!! Coldest day on record at a chilly 14.5 degrees! The day started with some presents for the lovely Olivia. She is wearing the lovely towel from Cousin Michael , Kate and Jacqueline. Tristan didn't really care about Christmas, he only has eyes for his mummy as always.
Livvy also received a lovely vietnamese gown from her nana!

the day got underway with the usual suspects including a well known elf! I would answer the critics (namely Annabelle and Ken) who questioned the value in purchasing the elf suit seen below by saying that it has now been worn twice and will fit a certain Self boy next year so that for three years running there will be a "self Elf" so There!!!!


The selfs and their Elf and Master Tristan sat for a portrait or two.

Then it was time for lunch. Liv insisted on wearing her "raineeer ears" and ate an awful lot fo turkey and veges given she ate her body weight in doritos before lunch. Tristan sat at his mummy's feet and looked adoringly at her.....and when he was passsed to his aunt, his response was resolute.

There was tonnes of food and we all had a great lunch and then it was time for one small child to have milk and a story. Tristan passed out at about 7 - a record!! Mummy then spent some time cleaning up but it was worth it - lovely Christmas 2006!
By the way - anyone seen Toby???

Well Christmas is almost here and it has been a busy time as it is for everyone I think!
Tristan is growing nicely and you can see that he takes up much of my time given the infrequency of my blog updates. He is very loud and still looks quite asian at times but is smiley and loooooves his mummy and her milk! Livvy is great. She is getting into the spirit of Christmas by realising quickly that Santa gives presents and so whenever she sees santa tells me that "santa give present". That is in top of quotes such " i don't like it" and "come 'ere mummy".
The house is great, very cool on the 40 degree days which is a nice change to our old place. We are really enjoying it and also playing with the kids not that the newborn part is over and Tristan sleeps teh whole night (god I love that about our children, we got very lucky!!)

merry christmas and i ahve attached a photo of Toby's latest exploit - the dangers of toilet drinking when there are toddlers being toilet trained!

I would like to be able to add photos but for some reason I am not able to tonight...as I said, check out my flickr site, that has them all there.

As usual, long time between posts for me. I have loaded a heap of photos onto flickr.

check it out... http://www.flickr.com/photos/60068285@N00/sets/

By the way Tristan is good. Not sleeping as much as his mummy would like but I am getting trained very well by him! He is also becoming massive.....quite a boomby....and so he should be with the amount of milk he drinks!

Updated blog and photos on flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60068285@N00/sets/

The day started rather early for us ... Toby was a bit confused but decided not to argue and went for his pre-dawn walk with the usual dash about him.










I guess you could say we all have our different way of dealing with the pains of labour!!





Somebody must have done something right ..... Little Tristan turned up safe and sound in his mum's arms at 12:36 7th October, 2006 ... Hooray!!





I guess the Asian influence in the food at the Self household really has had an impact!!



In more ways than one .... Tubby little bugger! (8 Pounds, 8 Ounces for those schooled in the old ways)



One minute everything is just fine.



And the next minute not!!



Here's a mother looking rather happy.



And a cousin or two ...... too!!





Under guise of an "Assistant Holder" ......



...... A very keen Aunty swoops in for the prize.




....... Imogen ..... reclined ..... discussing the events of the previous couple of hours " ......... and then they said like to push and stuff ..... and I was like ..... whatever .... and they were like .... NO .... REALLY and I was like ..... WHAT .... EVER !!!! .... and Pete was saying like .... you're doing great honey .... and I was was like .... I know I am honey!!! "



....... and then in a dramatic turn of events ..... Olivia packs up her baby doll .........



....... addresses the press .... commenting in no uncertain terms ......

"I just want everyone to know that it doesn't matter how cute my little brother is ....... I'm still number one around here"



....... and symbolically storms out of the room ......



...... She enlists the support of a senior member of the family ..... "Come on Grandpa ..... let's blow this joint ...... and Riley .... you can go and bring the car around .... and make it snappy ....."



Only to return some time later armed with a few shifty negotiating tactics .....(suggested quietly during a walk back to the car by a certain senior member of the family) ....



...... Negotiations were swiftly concluded and with a quick check around to make sure the agreement had been properly witnessed .... an inevitable dynamic between older sister and younger brother has begun ....



... The peanut gallery is clearly enthralled by the high drama.



..... and a final pose for the camera!!



...... Initiated with a team hug ...... festivities commenced once more ...... minus mum who is back on the phone again ....



Smiling Uncle Simon Brandishes the trophy.



A whimsical "Grammy" savors the moment.



..... Meanwhile a shuffle nearly erupts again as Olivia makes a move to intimidate her rival ..... Nanna poses unaware .....



..... A rather cavaliar, handsome, brave and pleased with himself ..... cousin "Riley Cooper Meens" steps in to save the day .....



Meanwhile mum somehow manages to get herself another nurse ....



....and they're all mine ..... she gloats ....



********* THE END *********

check out flickr link for more photos. I have ut some new born shots on for Ken and Annabelle to compare Calum with new born Olivia

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60068285@N00/

Also check out my fickr link for more photos.

Goodness how slack I am at updating the blog!
Lots happening...baby is due tomorrow but nothing on the go at the moment so who knows when it will arrive.
We have finished heaps of house stuff, painting, carpets, floors, curtains - all in readiness for the next Self member.
Liv is great, very funny.
See links to Flicker for various new shots of her doing funnny stuff.
Also there is a funny video of a couple of girls at my mothers group getting pushy with eachother!

the link for the video is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhXeF3E7qGA

Here are the latest snaps of Liv. I am tying to upload a video of her wearing her "new shoes".....they are very nice!!

Also there are more on Flickr.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60068285@N00/

Thanks again to Kenny for the idea to set this up - not sure it is better yet but I will try it.

I hav also added a video of the lovely Olivia tackling the whole food concept...she can go "no hands!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8ogUD0k0q0

The following pictures show Olivia's skills at eating, she has the whole "licking the bowl" thing totally under control.

I have also posted some pics of her at the boat show this year with her dad, she goes every year....she loves boats....apparently.....

At home with the Selfs: July 2006

At home with the Selfs: July 2006

Went visit our Friend Cath and the newest addition, cameron. Of course I forgot to take photos of Cam but I did take pics of Olivia and Alice watching Play school together - very cute.