Saturday, November 24, 2007

Happy Birthday Harry

Harry turned 7 on Friday. Can you believe it? Seven. Yes my little boy is growing up. The day started off bright and early with Haz wandering into our room at 4.50am. Which would have been easier to handle if I hadn't just gotten back to bed at 4am (Bethany woke at 3.15am for a feed). Oy ve!

Poor little Harry was so excited and just wanted to do his presents, but we managed to convince him to head back to bed. It doesn't help that it's already light at that hour - you can't argue effectively that it's still 'night time'. I could shoot these people who don't want daylight saving - honestly - what's wrong with a split timezone throughout the state? That would suit both the farmers and the south east corner!!


Anyway - we managed to hold him off a bit longer, but only just a bit! Twenty minutes later and Harry was ripping off wrapping with great gusto! He received a Lego City Firestation set - which was "AWESOME" quote un-quote. And you guessed it - immediately he wanted to build it! Now, those of you who know us best, know that it is NOT Kevan that the boys turn to for help with Lego - it is ME. Which is usually fine as I loved Lego as a kid and get to re-live my childhood everytime they want help building stuff. But not at 5 something in the morning!! "You go and get it ready and I'll come help in a minute", was my best delay tactic. My eyes were just about to shut again when two boys call out "ready mum, Cmon!". Note to self - only give Lego gifts when we can open them in the afternoon.

Next present was from Lachlan. It was something he'd made himself, toiling over it for days in the shed. He'd gathered together bits of wood from the new house building site next door, nails & screws from Dad's supply and plenty of silicon..??.. yes, silicon. Every boys dream and every mum's nightmare (you try getting it out of clothes). Anyway, I digress... Harry opens Lach's present, shouting out an even bigger "OH AAWWWESOMMME!" and then pauses before asking.. "what is it?" While Kevan & I try to muffle our giggles, Lachlan patiently explains it's a boat. "WAY AAWWESOMMME!" "Can we put it in the bath?" "No". Maybe it's better to start building the Lego...


It took two and a half hours but we finished it - actually, I finished it. The boys had to go to school mid project. Still - they enjoyed it when they got home and so far (it's now the 13th December), fingers crossed, it's still standing in one piece. Which is just as well, because Lego sets are so much harder to rebuild when there's an odd piece or two that can't be located... or the instructions...

Harry ended his birthday on a high with dinner out at the Bonnyview Hotel (his choice). I don't think it's the cuisine as much as it's plethora of PS2 games available.











And apart from: Grandpa's dinner that didn't arrive, and then did arrive but had salad instead of vegies, and then the vegies that did arrive were as hard as the rock of gibraltar; and Harry picking off parts of his cake (take a look at the top picture and note the deftly positioned traffic light hiding the missing 'n'. By the way, thank you for the cake Nanna); then Harry g
etting upset when asked to stop picking at the cake (right when we wanted to take of pic of him - red eyes and all - hold the photos, folks, while we calm the boy); and then him blowing hot wax onto his face - and then REALLY crying; to Pa icing his hot face; & Dad picking out bits of wax out of his eyes... it was a great night all in all! Harry aged 1 year and Kevan & I aged 3 or 4... Now how does that work?

Happy Birthday Harry!


Thursday, November 22, 2007

A Gift from God - Bethany Grace Goff

Welcome to the World - little Bethany Grace Goff! Finally, our little girl was born on Tuesday 30 October 2007, at 9.15am. Weighing 3560g (or 7lb 13oz) she measured 51cm long and has a full head of hair (with some cute curls). The csearean went according to plan, and Kevan was on hand to cut the cord (finally - this is our third c-section and it's the first time they've let him cut the cord).

Bethany is everything we'd hoped for and real answer to prayer. After two healthy boys, and then losing the twins, I had asked God that if I couldn't have my twin boys, could He please give us a girl. And while I hardly dared to hope it would be true, and I certainly didn't admit it to anyone - I had a secret hope throughout the pregnancy that this would be my girl. Now here she is - and our joy is complete! Thank you Lord!

We spent 5 days in hospital before we were able to come home on Sat 3rd Nov. And while I hate being in hospital (and was absolutely desperate to come home), the staff at Redcliffe Hospital excelled themselves again
and looked after us well. Except one or two midwives on the night shift - why is it you always get a nazi Sgt-Major of a midwife who answers your buzz at 2am??

Here is our family (now I know I don't look my best but who does after major surgery!) Mel, Lach, Harry, Kevan & Bethany.









A very proud Daddy.














And Mummy's first touch - a cheeky cuddle!











Big brother Lachlan enjoys a cuddle (above) as does big brother Harry (below)

Four very proud Great Grandparents: Grandpa & Grandma Moore, Pop & Nanny Drews
Nanna enjoying a cuddle...
Pa with his little girl...


(I don't have any pics yet to post of proud Aunty Beck, Uncle Damo & little cousin Marcella. I'll track some down off you Beck / Dad and post them soon. Stay tuned for pics of Bethany meeting proud Aunty Kylie too!!)


And so our new life with this new little miracle begins... stay tuned!

They've finally convinced me...

(Either that or they've badgered me into submission)...

To enter the world of blogging! Yes, it's been months and months, ever since Kylie started her blog (thanks, Kyles) of "Mel, why don't you start blogging?". Then, after Beck started hers, the pressure really stepped up.

My pleas of being busy, being a business woman & mum fell on deaf ears. My inexperience in the world of literacy didn't seem to be enough of an excuse either. And now that a new baby affords me a 'break' from work - it seems I can't dodge it any longer!

So here we are - the Goff's in Brisbane, Australia - officially entering the world of Blogging. Our family consists of Kevan, Mel (me) and our children: Lachlan (nearly 9), Harrison (7 today) and Bethany (just over 3 weeks old). And for what it's worth, you should savour this, the first entry. Because with my history of following things through, this may well be the last!

After all, I can never finish anyth