20 June 2009

Jesse Frederick Bleby Orford - 16 June 2009, 0932


Jesse was born on Tuesday morning, twelve days early but a healthy 3.430 kg and 52 cm. He and Hannah are both doing very well and Dad and Samuel are happy to have secured a majority of boys in the family. We're looking forward to introducing Jesse to family and friends. Much love from the four of us.


Hannah happy to meet her new little boy.


Still a little shocked...


Jesse about half an hour old - at peace with his new environment.


Still resting.


Here we are at the hospital when Samuel first came to meet Jesse. As
you can see, he wasn't overly impressed to begin with.


He was clearly curious about his little brother though.


Hannah taking to the mothering of two at the hospital in the early hours of
Jesse's life.


After his initial hesitation, Samuel has quickly warmed
to his little brother and gives him lots of kisses.


Snuggled up in bed at home.




I took Samuel shopping to buy a present for Jesse after he was born and Samuel choose this wolf in sheep's clothing. Given that Samuel had come up with Jesse's in utero name, Lupidy, we were astounded that Samuel would, off his own bat, choose a lupus as his first soft toy.


The day after Jesse's birth Hannah was invited to Parliament House
for News Limited's 100 Emerging Leaders function (she was profiled in
the series earlier in the year). The PM attended and gave a speech.
We're not sure where to now for Jesse having had lunch with the PM
on day two!


Han at home with her two boys.


Samuel pretending to be the baby.


Here's Jesse back in Feburary when he was still known as "Lupidy".

09 June 2009

Last Escape as a Threesome - Braidwood, New South Wales

We took advantage of the Queen's Birthday long weekend to escape and have some time to just the three of us for the last time before we become four! Our little Lupidy (as Samuel has dubbed him) is due on 28 June 2009 but we're well and truly into 'anytime now' territory. Below are a few photos from our last trip as a threesome.





aaa



08 January 2009

Samuel's South Australian Sojourn

We've just returned to Canberra from a lovely break in South
Australia. We spent Christmas day at Matt and Lauren's farm
and had lots of family time with Peter and Jane and Joyce and John.
My parents and Hayden even popped into Adelaide for a couple of
days too! We spent the new years break at Carickalinga with Ben, Gem,
Xavier and Sarah! Below are a few photos of little boy's trips to the
Carickalinga beach.


Who knew waves could be so amusing...?


Little boy tentatively and curisously tip-toed into the water...


...and once he'd settled in there was a whole lot of kick, kick
kick, splash, splash, splash and very wet shorts.


Little boy discovering the feeling of sand between his toes.


Showing off his cricket (or "tricket" as he calls it) skills.


Samuel loved walking down to the beach with Tantie Sarah.





29 October 2008

Lerang & Tilewa Selolwane - 25 October 2008, Gaborone, Botswana

I was lucky enough to be able to make a flying visit to Botswana
last week to attend Lerang and Til's wedding! It was held in the
beautiful Mokolodi Nature Reserve which meant I had unexpected
encounters with cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, baboons and kudus.


The wedding venue was perched on top of a hill overlooking
Mokolodi Nature Reserve. It was breathtaking!
...

I was asked to take a polaroid of each of the guests as they
arrived. It was a lot of fun and a great way to introduce myself
to everyone.
...
Tilewa and her father heading for the ceremony.


Lerang and Tilewa listen to the priest during the ceremony.
...

The beautiful bride.


And they're married...(actually, they were
already married in Tswana custom before this).


We met up with this handsome fellow on the
Mokolodi reserve for photos with the bridal party.






The only time he got upset was when you stopped
scratching his head.


The bridal party and a few others spent the night
at Mokolodi. After being woken by baboons chasing each
other across the roof of our hut we had a champagne
breakfast by the lake where we were met by...


...elephants having a bath!


We also stumbled across a giraffe and a...
...

...kudu...

13 October 2008

Samuel's 2nd Birthday


The unveiling of Samuel's birthday present!


Little boy proudly showing off his new trike with, as
he would say, "red pedals", "blue seat" and "yellow
handles".

Samuel and his little friends getting ready for some
number 2 cake!


Maestro conducting "Happy Birthday" while
the gathering sang to him. He definitely
became aware that the day was all about him
this time.
.
Little boy blowing out his two soccer ball candles.
.
Samuel practising getting on and off his
trike during his birthday party.
.

The birthday boy!