So...#Bang

 So I haven't had much luck with posting lots of photos of our latest family member, our little #Bang.  Between just being generally busy and the PC losing a whole bunch of photos I was busy with for uploading (yes, there was swearing involved), it turns out I haven't really shared many photos over the last few weeks, here's some from when he was about 3 weeks to about 6 weeks)

 Brothers checking each other out

 Baby bear feet!

 Profile pic!

 Enjoying his beanbag

6 weeks

All in all our little #Bang is the sweetest little guy and is much loved by all...and maybe just a little too much by Evie, who needs reminding not to love him to death :)
He's smiling beautifully, chatting up a storm and just enjoying watching what everyone gets up to.
We have the occasional moan about tummy cramps, to which Evie responds "Ag shame my boy" lol...but since our visit to our Osteo this last week things are much improved again and we're all sleeping much better again!

So...Easter in the bushveld

So before #Bang arrived on the scene we decided a trip away over the Easter long weekend with some friends and family might be a good idea, thinking we'd have an approximately 6 week old baby by then...well it turned out he was only 3 weeks old but by the time you get to the 3rd I guess they have no option but to fit in (I would have rather flung myself out of a moving vehicle than go "holidaying" when Bear was a newborn) so off we went in our new family bus, new family member in tow...

and guess what...

the bus is fabulous, I can't wait for more family holidays...

it all worked out just fine with regards to the newborn, he was a star...

wish the same could be said for the firstborn...

hello week long tummy bug and lethargic, miserable, sick child...sigh...

but still we had a good time overall!

On our first full day all the boys went for a ride and thoroughly enjoyed themselves

While the boys were out in the dust and the dirt the girls decided to don their swim wear and take it easy by the poolside.

 

The water was cold but still lots of fun

And those that were to young (and old) just enjoyed watching the frolicking in the water

Back in the rooms Evie proudly showed off the chain she made from my knitting markers

And lets not forget the highlight of the trip...the Easter egg hunt!! (I think this was number 4 of more hunts than I can remember lol)

Bear looking rather ill at the sight of his stash (mainly because he was ill :( )

At least someone enjoyed the prospect of candy and chocolate!

A very rare sight...a sleeping family...some tiredness induced, some a result of sickness and some self inflicted!

 

More sleeping

Sleeping princess, scabby knees and all

Sleeping under the table 

All in all I've never seen so much sleeping!

Unfortunately it wasn't nice having a sick child on holiday, but it was still a beautiful location and it was nice to get out of the big smoke for a few days!  Hopefully we'll get a chance to go back one day and fully enjoy it!

So...Maropeng and buried things

So Dad managed a nice amount of time off work for paternity leave and we decided to put it to good use and do a couple outings we've been wanting to do.
The camera didn't accompany us on all of them...in fact The Mom & baby didn't even make it too all, so we didn't document each one, but we did manage to get some snaps on our outing to Maropeng!

If I'm honest the outing didn't blow us away, and I'm not sure how suitable it is for young children...especially sensitive ones...as the boat ride in and light bridge are all very loud and overwhelming...but despite that we made it in with some little hands tightly clenched in ours and then the kids quite seemed to enjoy it.

At the entrance
Trying to get the pictures in the right order at one of the displays
Skulls & jaws...not creepy at all!
What would have been a lovely pic of Evie & The Dad...sadly the flash didn't work though and by the time it did Evie had moved on :(

Checking out the fake fire
Feeling various fossils

Eating snacks outside

Our beautiful babies

and of course our new addition accompanied us in the sling but had no photos taken. Instead I have these to share of him and his big sister giving him some love.

He's so little Mom!

I love him lots and lots
Oh dear, not crying again!!!

So...then there were 3

On the 14th March 2012, 2 weeks overdue, the contractions finally began...

...and before long it was time for us to meet our baby...
...a little boy who is just perfect!

Since then his life has been filled with new experiences and lots of kisses
We've had massages in the sun, which we loved
We had our first bath...
...safely in dad's gentle hands

We've met our brother and sister who are infatuated!
Not to mention grandparents!

We’ve all been waiting for you.
For you.
Your arrival has been marked, has been recorded
on earth,
in the universe,
in the galaxies,
in all of space,
in all of time.

You come with a birthright, written in love and sung
through all Creation in words which promise
that no matter where you’re at,
you’re home
that no matter who you’re with,
you’re welcome
that no matter who you are,
you’re loved.
Welcome.

~ Rita Ramsey

So...Knights & Princesses

This past week I had one handsome knight begging me for a shield so he could rescue his princess from the tower...aka the loft...and of course no princess could qualify without a crown...so 10 minutes, a bit of cardboard and some tinfoil and VOILA, I present to you Sir Bear & Princess Evie!
P.S. - the princesses outfit was specifically selected by the knight so she would look royal enough

Besides fantasy & role play, design and construction is still a daily occurrence
And the littlest person is getting involved and demanding photos of her creations too!

And this is what overdue looks like......we're ready baby!!!

So...Once upon a time there were 2...

...little rascals reading books on the couch while munching on a mid morning snack. A rather fun book too, one on tadpoles and frogs that our Evie got for her birthday!

I'm so grateful we get to spend our days like this, especially when I hear my friends talk about the school run!

And of course the obligatory "say cheese" faces
But it won't be just two for much longer...