Tag Archives: memory

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No steps

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Monday, 19 May 2014: One Year and Seven Weeks Old.

I found out today that Ayla has been walking around heaps at day care!

Although I’d know Ayla had taken a few steps last week, when I picked her up today the day care mums greeted me with excited claims that Ayla was now properly walking.

Of course I couldn’t wait to get home and see Ayla out her new skills in action but alas, at home Ayla seems perfectly content on all fours.

Throughout the afternoon and evening Ayla keep standing and clapping, but still no steps.

Then when we went out for a swim before dinner Ayla walked the whole length of the patio holding on to her Daddy’s hand with the biggest smile on her face.

My heart melted and a took a moment to record the memory in my brain forever; a tiny little blonde haired, chubby legged Baby Ayla, holding on tight to get Daddy’s weathered hand, both of them oozing pride and happiness like I’ve never seen before.

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Awesome adventures

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Tuesday, 18 March 2014: Three Hundred and Fifty One Days Old.

Hubby and I could hardly wait to see what Ayla’s reaction would be when she saw and then rode an elephant for the first time today!

Well… she loved it! Ayla sat up on the elephant with her Daddy and I as we trekked though the jungle and up to the top of a hill that overlooked the ocean.

I think Ayla found it a little hard to comprehend at first because she got so excited at seeing the other elephants with people riding them it was as if they suddenly reminded her of what she was doing.

We got some great photos while on the trek and when we got back to the start we were able to take some more photos, this time with a baby elephant aptly named “Dollar”.

Dollar was quick to give me a cuddle with his trunk and kiss me on the neck… I tried so hard to be calm and collected for Ayla but I certainly wasn’t ready for an elephant hickey!!

Despite my elevated heart rate Ayla stayed relaxed and intrigued by the funny, leathery, hairy thing with a snake like trunk that wanted to tickle her feet and she couldn’t take her eyes away… Until she noticed the monkeys!

There were two monkeys nearby chained up which was sad but secretly I was grateful they couldn’t climb on us (primates aren’t my strong suit)!

Ayla was mesmerised by the monkey’s jittery movements but we were warned not to let Ayla get too close because “he doesn’t like children.” Hubby said he wondered how they worked that out and I was just glad they had!

We got back to the hotel and had a swim and a nap then headed out to a nearby town called Kata to go to the Dino Park putt putt (mini golf).

It was amazing!! I have no idea what Ayla would have made of it all but for Hubby and I we felt like we were playing putt putt in Jurassic Park!

There were life sized and life like dinosaurs riddled throughout the park, and everywhere you could look was thick jungle, sometimes it was almost hard to find the next green!

There was also running creeks and waterfalls, caves and even a giant three storey volcano complete with flames and steam that we had to walk through to play the fourth hole!

It was a bit of a shame Ayla is too small to remember today. Both the elephant trek and the putt putt were awesome adventures that Hubby and I will remember always.

PS – if you haven’t already, please vote for Ayla in the Bonds Babies Search; Australia’s biggest baby photo comp!

C’mon… who wouldn’t wanna see that gorgeous face on a billboard!. Click here to vote

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Unforgettable

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Wednesday, 1 January 2014: Nine Months Old.

Today is our last day at The Station, and it was hard not to feel sad!

It’s been awesome to escape from the daily grind and although a few dramas from home still managed to find us in the bush, being surrounded by Hubby’s loving, honest and down to earth family has been unexplainably wonderful.

It’s also been fantastic to watch Ayla hanging out with her cousins and second cousins.

Seeing her play with three other babies in a puddle of water left behind by an afternoon storm today was adorable, and watching her take her first “crawl step” this morning was priceless.

Ayla’s definitely going to miss all the activity when we go home, and although she won’t remember the trip her first visit to The Station has been recorded forever…

After todays storm, Hubby and a couple of the men set about fixing a concrete slab out the back that was pooling water.

And just before it set Hubby let Ayla stand on the slab, leaving behind two tiny footprints and an unforgettable memory.

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Remembrance

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Tuesday, 12 November 2013: Two Hundred and Twenty Five Days Old

Yesterday was Remembrance Day but it was only today that I found myself with time to reflect on our lives the world I’ve brought my Baby Ayla in to.

We’re definitely in the lucky country. We have so much to be thankful for in Australia – stability, security, abundance, growth – but these things don’t come easily and shouldn’t be taken for granted.

At our current, overwhelming rate of change I worry that the stories of our veterans, their dogged spirit and the raw and honest passion that drove our national sprit could sadly become more legend than memory.

It seems that for new generations, the concept of fighting for your country, or your community, or even for your family is being overridden by a need to fight for yourself.

But while I will raise Ayla to be strong, I will also raise her to be kind. And while I will teach her about passion, I will also teach her about empathy and understanding.

I will help Ayla learn about right and wrong and even the grey patch in between, and I will teach her that no matter how fast and busy life becomes there is always time to stop and say thanks.