July Highlights

Lia's Birthday

My cousin Lindsay (Lia) celebrated her 23rd birthday on 20th July.  Lia has been doing 'work experience' with me since when she was 15 years old! Her first job was assisting me with the clean up of the events storage room when I was a PR Assistant at Marrickville City Council. This room was called the 'cage' and it was situated underneath an old town hall. Not the place one would like to clean out alone! Even now, we cannot look at flags or banners the same way! I got her to work by telling her it would be good work experience for her and she could put it down on her resume. I then started working at Cancer Council as an Events Coordinator where for the past 7 years Lia has volunteered at my events including Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, Daffodil Day, Pink Ribbon Day and has been a Fairfield Relay For Life committee member for 6 years. In that time Lia completed her HSC in the States top 8%, graduated with a double degree in Economics and Commerce (or something fancy like that) from University of New South Wales and now has a HR job at a top firm so obviously she does not need to volunteer with me for experience any longer! This year she told me that she wants to volunteer for another charity.........as if I'm going to let her go!!! Haha

Apart from being a wonderful volunteer, Lia is also a talented cake baker/decorator. We give her a theme or concept and the result is a brilliantly decorated cake. So, for her birthday this year, her sister Tildy, my sister Flavia and myself went all out to make some delicious desserts for her. This is the result:

Clockwise from top right: Creme Brulee by Tildy and red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting by me, Triple layer white buttermilk cake with buttercream and coconut icing Birthday cake made by me, White chocolate oreo cheesecakes made by my sister and Strawberry fruit jelly made by my Aunty Zinda. Lia was impressed by our efforts and felt the love.  It was all so delicious!

Happy Birthday Aunty Lia! Keira and Jaime love singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles

Cheeky cousins creating their own fun at the party. Jaime rode the bike pulling Keira who was sitting on a chair behind him and then they swapped. Clever kids :)

Lilly's Visit

Cousin Lilly stayed over for a weekend. It was great for me as I had an extra pair of hands from a very willing helper! The pictures above are snapshots of what Lilly did over the weekend which included looking after the twins when we were at Play School, changing nappies, feeding the babies their solid food and comforting crying twins (she was pretending to scream in the picture or did she really want to scream? haha) Lilly also played with Keira and read her books. What a wonderful help she was and great practice for when her twin sisters arrive. She is going to be a great big sister! xo

Play School

Play School has started and on our first day, it wasn't as hectic as we thought it be! Hopefully it will continue to be haha but I know that Keira and myself had an enjoyable time.  They had a fun lesson on the Human body and next month they are learning about the Olympics :)

The 2-3 year old class learning shapes and colours. Hyrum looks disinterested, Mercedes is concentrating on colouring in, Kingston playing with cars and Keira playing with shapes.

Kids Half Yearly Update

Keira

Our big girl Keira Olandina is growing up into a beautiful little lady who always makes us laugh - even the twins. At 2 years old she's had to grow up pretty quickly having two baby siblings to share mummy and daddy with. She did ignore them for 2 days and she finally accepted them when they came home! Now at 2 years and 7 months she is, in our eyes becoming a little lady and not so babyish anymore. Of course she will always be our baby but she can now dress herself, feed herself, put on her shoes, run little errands for us like putting things in the rubbish or grabbing things for us . We still need to toilet train her but we've been advised to wait until Spring when the weather is warmer. We were initially worried about her lack of English vocabulary but she surprises us everyday with new words and she loves to read and learn so as we spend more time teaching her, we anticipate that she'll be talking non stop - something to look forward yet dread at the same time haha

Keira is so active, loud and independent. She is real Daddy's girl and the two have gotten even closer since the twins. She can be a handful but I guess that's just the age she's at. She is affectionate, loves hugs and kisses and we love to see her being so attentive and loving (sometimes a little too much) to her baby siblings.

Keira loves:

Dancing - especially to music by Beyonce, Jessica Mauboy and Timomatic

Singing - favourite songs include Happy Birthday, You are my Sunshine and nursery rhymes

Reading - Cat in the Hat and library books

Watching DVDs - favourites include Wriggles, Hi Five and Sparkles and William

Housework - washing dishes, hanging the clothes, folding the clothes, cooking, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming but at the moment, as much as I appreciate her help sometimes it creates more mess!

Colouring in, wearing dresses, hand bags, dressing up, wearing big people's shoes (especially mummy's), anything sweet!, pasta and noodles, bubbles and playing with water

Dislikes - anyone brushing her teeth, getting her hair blow dried, getting her hair done, getting her hair cut, rinsing shampoo out of her hair, cereal, the dark, bread crusts and unpeeled fruit

 Montana

 At 6 months, our gorgeous Montana Rose is a very clever little girl. Even though she was the smallest of all our babies, she has really blossomed and has caught up, if not pass her twin in weight and height.

She is practically crawling already, babbles non stop, is very adventurous, very attentive to everything around her, the last to sleep yet the first to wake up, loves her food, is a little 'thinker', a Miss independent who knows what she wants and lets us know it! It always seems like she is in a rush to grow up! She doesn't like loud noises, is cautious with people and she really loves her mummy and is another daddy's girl.

Lucas

Our youngest by a minute and our only son, Lucas Orlando Halo is a real mummy's boy. He loves his daddy too but his mummy just a little more! (for the moment) He has the most softest, silky skin, is so friendly and is very smiley with everyone he meets although he's not so independent and prefers to stay close to mummy and daddy. He loves being held, loves his sleep and is pretty comfortable to grow at his own pace. He is a happy go lucky little fella and not much bothers him. He used to be a cry baby but it may have to do with his foot when he had weekly casts for the first 8 weeks of his life. Before we had children, I told Damo that I always wanted a daughter and if I never had a son, it wouldn't bother me and now I just can't get enough of our handsome little man. Damo teases me all the time about what I said and now I have to eat my words because I can't imagine life without this little man in our family!

  

Six Months later.....

It's been six and half months since we've become a family of 5, since I've been a stay at home mum with newborn twins and a 2 year old. They say time flies when you're having fun and yes time has flown and it has been fun but not without its ups and downs.

I remember some of the early challenges we had when we bought the twins home.  Firstly, we had just moved into a new place one month before the twins were born so there was still unpacking and sorting to do (there still is as we are still looking for 'time' to finish it!) Secondly, Lucas was born with a right club foot (where the foot is turned inwards) so we had weekly hospital plaster appointments for the first 8 week weeks of of his life to straighten his foot and that was on top of helping Keira adjust to her new baby siblings as well as us trying to adjust the demands of two newborns ourselves.

The most difficult thing for me was when they were both crying I didn't know who to pick up first and when I held one, I felt like I was chosing one over the other even though I wasn't. The first few days were heartbreaking for me as all newborn babies deserve and demand a parents full and undivided attention - at least for the first weeks of their lives and our twins had to share ours. I tried to take turns or held the one I thought would be the hungriest etc. I always wished (and still do) that I had an extra pair of arms to hold all three of my babies. It was worst when Keira was crying too and sadly most times she ended up being the last one I tended too (unless it was an emergency). There were times when she was upset she'll just bypass me altogether and go to her father because she knew that most times when she came up to me I would be holding a baby or two in my arms. Yes - lots of adjusting for all of us! There were some days when they would just be a blur - it seemed like it was going slowly but by the end of it I felt like it went by so quickly yet nothing seemed to be done.

After a month, the twins started to adjust to their new world and us with them in ours. I was up a lot during the night - as I would feed one, put baby down, go to sleep and a few mins later the other baby would wake up wanting their feed.  Damo was up to holding the other crying baby or helping me with putting the two babies on me to nurse and then taking them off as they started to get heavier for me to do it. Sleep was a luxury. I really wanted to train the twins to sleep in their cot from day 1 but it only lasted a few weeks as in the end it was just easier for me to sleep in between both and turn to nurse on demand. It's not the ideal solution but I got more sleep, the twins were really happy to be fed straight away, they cried less as they both loved being close to me and overall a happier household. I know people advise against co - sleeping and it can be seen as the lazy way out to parenting but to be honest I really enjoyed it with Keira and I enjoy it with the twins.  I love the cuddliness and closeness of my babies. I love watching them fall asleep and even when they are asleep - I just love watching them, smelling them, kissing their beautiful little features and baby smooth skin, always marvelling at their perfection and that I am their mother. I'm fortunate that I am a light sleeper so I can do that but I am hoping that they will be happy to sleep in their own bedroom when I stop breastfeeding. It may seem like wishful thinking but I am an optimist!

Being an optimistic person is what made me get through the first six months. Yes, there were (many) tough days but luckily I would only be upset or stressed for a few hours after which I would assess the situation or life in general, look on the brighter side and get over it. That is one of my good traits - the ability to always be positive and move on when faced with challenges. I'm no where near the mother/ wife/ person I want to be. I have definitely learnt and grown up so much as a mother, a wife and a person. I still do everyday and always strive to be better and the best I can be.  

No matter how tough and challenging it was or it can be - I am always grateful because I think I had a pretty good first six months. I am so grateful that I had a trouble free pregnancy, a safe delivery of two healthy babies, plenty of breastmilk to nurse both twins, a loving husband/ father and plenty of support from our extended family.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't let my Heavenly Father know how grateful I am for the many blessings He has bestowed unto me and especially for entrusting me with these three precious babies.

Six and a half months on - we still don't have the perfect schedule, our days can still be hectic, chaotic and crazy, our home is still not fully sorted, the house is almost always messy and hard to keep clean, socks are always missing their pairs and Keira is starting to write on the walls but we are slowly adjusting to our little party of 5 and we all healthy and happy!

I thought the the first six months would be the hardest but thinking of the next phase of our lives which will include weaning, teething, solids, crawling, toilet training Keira and my return to work - it makes the first six months look easy when the babies just ate, slept and pooed! However, the ever optimistic person in me says Bring it on! (with a smile :) )

Our little family when the twins were 3 months - Gees we look tired but happy :)

Lilly is back!

After living in Tamworth for a year, cousin Lilly and her mother Natalie are back in Sydney and are here to stay! Lilly's dad Bowen is Damo's brother. When Bowen and Natalie divorced and Bowen moved back to NZ, we regularly had Lilly over on the weekends from when she was was 6 months old for so she is like our first daughter. We missed her so much when she moved to Tamworth but we are so glad they are back in Sydney and now Keira has a girl cousin to hang with :)

Nat and Lilly are currently staying with Nat's mum Kate who are my children's 'white Nanny'. Nat is also back because she is expecting identical twins in November! How exciting for Lilly to have her own little twin brothers or sisters.  

Last Sunday, we caught up with Nat, Lilly, Kate and Dees at the Fish Markets as they just live down the road in Glebe. It was a sunny, windy day but it was great to see them as Lilly missed her cousins and her Aunty and Uncle of course! No doubt there will be plenty more catch ups in the future now that they are back plus Nat and Lilly need as much twin practice as possible! ;)

Happy to have Lilly back in Sydney! Lilly, me and Keira

 

Master Lucas and Aunty Nat

 

Damo, Lucas, Keira and Lilly

 

Miss Montana and Nanny Kate

I'm so glad my twin pregnancy is over! Lilly, Nat, me and dirty Keira in the background

Aunty Dees with her gorgeous nieces - Montana, Keira and Lilly

Gaybo couple pic haha 

Family Photos 2012

While on Facebook, I saw an advertisement from Manatu, a lady from Church introducing her new photography business Eye Love Photography whilst studying a Photography course. She was offering a special $50 deal to take family photos with edited high res copies on a CD. I've had photos taken before which were 4 times that price so I kept her in mind to get some family photos later in the year when the twins were able to sit up on their own and when I had lost a bit of weight. However, due to the popularity of her special and also the realisation that it's a steal for all the work she has to do - she announced that her $50 offer was only going to be until the end of April and from May it would go up. Despite not being at my ideal weight, I made a booking for our family photo session which only left me a week and a half to organise our clothes etc. I had envisioned a different colour theme but as I didn't have much time so I just ended up with the black and white theme. On the day of the photo session it was such a rush to get everyone prepared and  get to the location at Naragyngi Reserve on time but we made it! After a week of rain, the weather was perfect, the twins and Keira were well behaved (no tears at all) and we all had a fun family photo session. Even Damien, who was a little relunctant at first to pose and get photos - had a great time and realised the importance of having family photos done. The photos turned out wonderful - (even though I am even more determined to get rid of my double chin!) Manatu did a great job for someone who is just starting out. I really wanted photos of the three children but seeing as the twins were still too young and had to be held, there are quite a few photos of us with the children (each individually and together) which I'm really happy with. Manatu also took quite a few of Damo and I which I didn't want initially but looking back at them now, I'm so glad she did as we've hardly have any photos of us together since the children joined our family. Above and below are a few of my favourite photos of our little family. I'm so happy that we were able to finally get some proper, beautiful pictures of our Party of Five - an hour of our lives captured and to be cherished forever. I  heart my little family so much!

 

Our Party of Five

    

                   

Couple shots

Daddy and kids

 

  Mummy and Lucas                                Daddy and Montana

With our beautiful Keira

 

                             Smiley Lucas                                         Serious Montana

Cheeky Keira

We got through it! Last pic of the day :)

Aunty Dees move and Oz visit from Aunty Lance

My sister in law Dees moved on  the weekend from Marrickville to Matraville to live with two cousins Leanne and Rosie. Cousin Evelyn was there to help and sister Elena (aka Lance) came from NZ to help with the move too.

Seeing as Damo was working on Sat - he could only help on Sun as the designated Van driver as no one else had a drivers licence or could drive manual :P (on my to learning list)

It was great to see Aunty Lance and especially for her to meet the twins for the first time :) The move went smoothly as the girls did the bulk of the work on Saturday. Lance was going back to NZ early Monday morning so we all slept over at Matraville to spend as much time together with Aunties Dees, Lance, Evie, Rosie and Leanne. There was plenty of room, mattresses and doonas for everyone. We had heaps of fun, laughs and bonding moments over pizza.

The next day Damo dropped Lance off at the airport, returned the hire van and went to work. The aunties, kids and I slept in, had Chinese for lunch and watched black movies. It was extra relaxing for me as there was an aunty per child so I was practically child free for most of the day except for nursing the twins :) I'm so grateful to have inlaws who love my children and that my children have plenty of family to play with and spoil them with hugs and kisses. My arms were also grateful for the rest lol :) xo

Damo, Lucas, Montana and Lance

 

Aunty Lance and Monie

Aunty Dees and Lucas Balucas

Keira all ready for the sleep over

The move

Family bonding over pizza

Pho 76

Pho 76 in Green Valley is my favourite Chinese restaurant.  I have been dining there ever since I can remember. When I was a teenager, I used to go there for family dinners and to celebrate birthdays and when we did, we always bumped into someone we knew who lived locally because it's so popular. As I got older, I would dine there with my friends and then I took my husband there and it became his favourite Chinese restaurant too. I've been there so many times, I think I have just about tried everything on their menu. When I was pregnant with my first baby, I had cravings for their Salt and Pepper Squid and by the time I had Keira, I was Pho'd out!  We love it because it is cheap, has fast service and the food is delicious. 

Last Saturday, Keira, Montana and I went to have lunch at Pho's with my dad, sister Flavia and her son Jaime. My mum was supposed to come too but she ended up staying home with Lucas and my sister's baby Liam as they had some unexpected guests dropping in. Just as well as us three adults had our hands full with the two kids and one baby! We don't go there as often now but when we do - the food is still as delicious! Keira and Jaime liked it too - so I guess they are the next generation of Pho 76 lovers :)

We ordered Spring rolls, Fried whole fish (Dad's favourite), Sizzling Mongolian Lamb, Vegetables in oyster sauce, Singapore Noodles and fried rice. Yum!

When we became a family of 5

On 1 December 2011, our family became complete when our beautiful twins Montana Rose Boavida Asekona and Lucas Orlando Halo Boavida Asekona were born. With big sister Keira Olandina Boavida Asekona who had just turned 2 a few days before, we became a family of 5! Wow, what a blessing to have delievered two healthy twin babies and to have 3 beautiful children. They really are  a blessing and what a dream come true to have a little family of my own.

This is the twins announcement card with all the details of their birth. The card was designed by the photographer Nikki @ Virtual Memories Photography as a part of a newborn photoshoot Christmas present from Aunty Flavia, Aunty Tildy and Aunty Lia xo

Our first family picture as a family of 5. This was taken the day after I gave birth via c-section hence why I look a little dazed out. I'm holding  our newborn son Lucas. Daddy Damien looks really proud holding our newborn daughter Montana (there were 3 people taking photos of us) and Keira looks disinterested. That was her initial reaction to meeting the twins - she kind of ignored them until about Day 3 when she finally touched them.