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Kellie commented on this post that she hoped I'd made Paddy a fancy cake for his 30th... I could simply ignore the subject, even lie about it. This is just a blog... who's to know? But the truth is too amusing not to share - he made it himself. Classic Tiramisu... with help from Marcus. Apparently, beer and baking are a catalyst for male bonding.

...of course, the novelty wore off half way through and Miriam had to finish it off. I can't recall what I was doing... oh, that's right - taking pictures.

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Our dear, dear friends Marcus and Miriam came all the way up from Sydney for the weekend to celebrate Paddy's 30th birthday and to finally meet our little bug. We haven't seen them for almost a year, they went off to cycle accross Europe (as you do) a few months before our move back to Queensland. Since our return we have been fortunate to be spending a lot of time with our family, but seeing them again reminded us how important friends really are. Being in their company just felt right. We felt like us again.

Apart from a few minutes of intense staring at Marcus' beard, Eulalie was right at home with them, happy as Larry, as if she'd known them all along. And I might cross the line (as I do) and just say that they looked rather comfortable with a babe in arms themselves.

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It's certainly been a weekend of celebrations. On Friday night we welcomed a tiny new niece, Eulalie's baby cousin - Phoebe. She joins her gorgeous big sister, Keeley.

It's impossible to believe that just four months ago, my girl was that tiny. So delicate. Such incredible growth in such a short time. It baffles me.

At only four months apart, I expect these little girls of ours will become rather close. I can't wait to see their little lives unfold.

Congratulations to Shawn, Monique and Keeley on such a perfect new addition to your (and our) family!

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Thirty today! He refused to pose for a portrait in front of the chalk board, So this will have to do. Happy Birthday to my wonderful Husband. We love you. Big time.

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She's head over heels for her big cuz, Keeley.

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Today it was French Toast at the nook. This time with a much healthier VIP guest... and one nosey little window-crasher.

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Thanks to everyone who left comments for my sick little Lalie Bug (and her bug). I took her to the Doctor today because although the temp subsided, she developed a rash... I have been assured that it's nothing to worry about - a common virus that will help to "educate" her immune system. Apparently this is a good thing.

...so while my little Lalie Bug catches up on sleep, I've been catching up on washing. Exciting stuff.

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Poorly babe. She's been hovering around a 38.5 temp since Friday night. I've been using Panadol and lukewarm baths to bring it down but it seems to be hanging around. Apart from the temperature she seems okay... no runny nose or cough. No toothies seem to be coming through but maybe they're just moving around. I dip my fingers in icy water and let her munch away on them which seems to give her some relief. My heart breaks for her but she is handling it so well - I can see how awful she's feeling but she hasn't been unsettled or crying, just very quiet. Not herself. Her usual smiley eyes are sad. And so am I.

...if there's no improvement tomorrow, I think A trip to the Doc is in order.

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Op-shop offerings. Cute fabric, vintage cotton thread on wooden spools and two little ducks for the little ones nursery.

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Eulalie was gifted some Baby Burberry threads when she was born. They finally fit her but we have nowhere fancy to go. So I guess it's only fair to let her wear them around the house - the pants at least. We'll save the top for a special occasion... Daddy's 30th at the end of the month! For now, she's rocking them with a Purebaby smock and some very tasty bonds socks.

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My new breakfast nook by the window. Perfect for eating porridge with figs and honey and drinking a coffee or two... or three.

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Four months today! Our happy, drooly, chubby, warm, cuddly, funny little girl. Why do we love thee? Let me count the ways...

You have the smiliest eyes we ever did see... and the drooliest chin... you think your feet are deeelicious... and so do we... you start chatting away to Daddy the minute you see him... you love the puppa dogs and they love you... you saturate Mummy from head to toe at bath-time... you giggle when Mummy squeezes water on her face with the rubber duckie at bath-time... you cover your eyes with one hand and suck your two middle fingers on the other hand when you sleep... you talk away happily in your bassinet while you are doing a poo... I could go on and on... but most of all... we love you for making us a family... and for showing us a love we had never known... until there was you.

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The Dog Stripped Bare.
Poor Dottie-Mae. She looks so vulnerable without her mane of scruffy, feral, matted fur. A few months of neglect (you can blame Eulalie for that) and it was no choice but to give her the No. 1 all over. I've never been a fan of this look (on humans or K9's) and if she wasn't our adorable Dottie-Mae, I'd have to say she looks rather unattractive. However, there is a noticeable improvement in her ball retrieving skills, possibly due to the fact that she can finally see. Still, she ain't pretty.

Don't worry Dottie, it's only hair. It'll grow back.

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Over the weekend I downloaded my very first apps - Instagram and Hipstamatic. Now, I do realise that I am quite possibly the last person on earth to discover these very useful phone-tography tools... but aren't they just the best thing since sliced bread?! Ingenious - great for making incredibly crap photos seem less crappy. Very handy for when you need to capture a moment and don't have time to check lighting, frame it up, etc etc etc. You can snap away without much care or precision because you can always count on retro filters to make things look cool...

...however, there's always going to be one captured 'moment' that no amount of faded retro funkiness is going to fix.

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Yep, she's much happier outdoors. Today in our yard with the puppas, the dolly, the bumbo and one very hungry caterpillar.