He's da bomb...

I attempted to take some snaps of my hair this morning, to show how quickly it is growing back...but I got photo bombed by the toddler.

Rattus Baggus Maximus at the moment. Our fair-haired wild child who is talking in perfect sentences and counting to ten with ease. He's showing us every day that he can keep up with the best of them. Nothing is too great a challenge for this little pocket rocket. Fiercely independent but incredibly polite...his standard response to any offer of help is "no sanks". Hubby and I seem to be in a constant state of 'wow' when it comes to our youngest. I still pinch myself that he's ours.

On the cancer front, I had a check up with my radiation oncologist this morning at the hospital. My radiation burns have healed beautifully and everything seems to be on track at the moment. No sign of damage showing up in my lungs, which I found out can happen at around the six week mark post treatment. Hurrah for recovery and good health.

As for my hair...it's officially long enough for me to wake up with 'bed hair'. Who would have thought I'd be excited about that! The colour and texture very much resembles mouse fur at the moment. Kind of a light ashy brown and very soft. I'm tempted to start playing around with the colour but can't decide if I want to get back on the colouring merry-go-round. My vanity hasn't been completely shot to smithereens yet so the likely outcome will be yes. I'm going to see my hairdresser next week for my first cut since chemo. Big moment...think I might get a little teary over my glass of bubbly when Marina tidies up the few strands around my ears. Little things mean a lot these days.

 

 

I did a Centergy class at gym last night. The last time I did one it was called Body Balance and I was heavily pregnant with Harry. It was SO nice to immerse myself in that beautiful blend of Pilates and Tai Chi again. I was anticipating that I would have to go very easy with my arm and chest but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could push myself and keep up with the rest of the class. My aim is to improve my fitness to pre-diagnosis levels by Christmas. Five gym sessions a week should see me achieving my goal.

Well, must dash. I'm taking Hubby out on a hot date tonight for his birthday to see Gotye play live at the Transit Bar. He's teamed up with his original Melbourne band, The Basics, for an Aussie tour and its going to be a bloody AWESOME gig!

 

 

Can't wait!

xx Em

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Master Five meets Melbourne

 

Five years ago he made me a Mummy.

 

 

My beautiful Harry Bear.

All he wanted to do this year was go to Melbourne to ride the trams. But we told him that we couldn't afford to take him. Melbourne was a long way away. Ok, he said, ever so graciously, without a pout in sight.

Saturday night Hubby and I sneakily packed up the car and early Sunday morning we woke Harry with the news that we were taking a roadtrip...to Melbourne. Excited...much!

Armed with Urban Pantry coffee, we farewelled Canberra

 

 

and became acquainted with 670kms of country New South Wales & Victoria.

 

 

It was a very pretty...albeit long drive south to Melbourne.

 

With a couple of quick stops along the way.

 

 

Totally awesome playground in Albury, according to Hubby. Had to temporarily disown him while he was rocketing down the massive slide like a two year old. Seriously, who owns that man? We reached Melbourne nine hours after leaving home.

 

 

 

 

Our home away from home was The Swanston Hotel Grand Mecure. It was the perfect location, smack bang in the middle of the city overlooking Bourke Street Mall with the Swanston St tram stop right out front. Sweet! Not wanting to waste a minute of our whistlestop trip, we hit the streets for a little night exploration and some dinner at South Bank.

 

 

 

 

 

Both boys were asleep before their heads hit their pillows that night.

 

 

Monday dawned bright, breezy and beautiful.

And our little guy was FIVE!

 

 

Breakfast at a favourite cafe on Collins followed by a stroll back to the hotel through arcades and laneways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then just enough time to dump the pram in the hotel room and jump on a city circle tram.

 

Oh how heavenly a morning for this gorgeous little guy.

 

 

 

Not so much for the twitchy two year old who would have preferred running riot in a park somewhere.

 

 

 

The Jackman became so restless that we jumped off at Docklands Drive and wandered back along the harbour to let him burn off some energy. Only, our genius plan wasn't quite so genius and he kept running off in the opposite direction...ending in a mammoth tantrum. Hubby and I decided to divide and conquer so as to not ruin Harry's day. I took Jack back to the hotel for a nap and Hubby took the birthday boy on a surprise train trip. They jumped on the first train leaving from Platform number 5 and got off at the fifth stop which turned out to be the Zoo. How perfectly lovely!

Jack was still a little grizzly after an hour's nap so I took him out in the pram for some lunch and a stroll.

 

 

 

I do love Collins street...reminds me of New York.

Now...I'm going to put it out there and correct me if you will...but to me, Melbourne is the city of Macarons!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought it only proper to sample the salted caramel.

 

 

Bourke Street mall was vastly diverting with it's street performances.

 

 

Did I mention that there was a Haigh's chocolate store in the lobby of our hotel? No? My guilty little secret then!

 

 

 

 

The boys arrived back from their adventure by mid afternoon. We had a small rest in the hotel then headed up the hill to play in Carlton Gardens.

 

 

Here Jack was able to run wild and both boys had such fun exploring.

 

Then the sun disappeared and it was time for dinner.

A five year old's idea of a ritzy supper...

The Pancake Parlour of course!

 

 

 

 

 

Followed by a night tram ride to Lygon Street to sample some gelato.

Brunetti's...holy mother of all that is Italian!!!

I've never seen anything quite like it. AH-MAZING!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible Pastries & Cakes, Rustic Breads, Woodfired Pizzas, Pastas and the most delectable array of Gelato...heaven!

 

 

On the stroll back to the tram we stopped and enjoyed the most beautiful music by this lovely older gentleman.

Yesterday we headed to Hardware Lane for a relaxed, loungey breakfast at Larder Section. This is what we parents love about Melbourne...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A second lazy coffee and the last slice of avocado on sourdough for the walk back to the hotel. Bliss!

 

 

Time to check out and hit the road.

Thank you Melbourne for a fabulous stay! Harry thinks you are the most wonderful city IN THE WORLD! We love you!!!

 

Posted with Blogsy