Walkin’ the Walk
Last week Aldo took his first steps! He took 3 tentative steps from Megan’s arms to Maarten’s. Now he can cross the room! So far, he’ll only do it if coaxed and won’t leave the security of a hand hold unless there are outstretched arms to ensure a safe landing. He’s definitely not a reckless adventurer and is very cautious about the whole activity.
Aldo started building his confidence by pushing any loose furniture around and then slowly became brave enough to hang on behind his walker. Now he wears a grin from ear to ear when he takes his funny drunk old man steps. He’s sporting a few bumps and bruises but we’re so very proud of him!
Happy 1st Birthday
Hooray for Aldo! He turned 1 on Sunday 25th July.
We can’t quite believe that a whole year has passed since Aldo arrived into our lives. When we look back at the ups and downs of being new parents, the tears, joy and laughter that a baby brings and at the amazing development and growth that happens in one year, we’re pretty amazed that we survived. We now have a new level of respect for all the people we know with children.
We had a little party for Aldo on Sunday afternoon with keith (Pa Walker), Megan’s brothers Rowan and Dave plus their families. We had fairy bread, lamingtons and of course, a home made chocolate birthday cake decorated with coloured smarties to form a number 1. Aldo absolutely LOVED his cake.
We had phone calls, emails, gifts and birthday cards from the Netherlands. Thank you to everyone for your generous presents. Aldo enjoyed ripping and schrunching the wrapping paper!
Although no one really mentioned it, we were all feeling the emptiness of Carol not being there to celebrate with us. It may take us some time to get used to family get-togethers without her and how our family dynamics have changed to work around that.
Hard cold winter
May, June and July have been hard months with Megan’s Mum getting sicker and passing away, Megan returning to work, Maarten being home with Aldo during the cold wet winter we’ve been having and Aldo picking up all the winter bugs including Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease (twice!!) and bringing most of them home to share with us.
We’re really hoping that August will bring some sunshine for us and make the world look a little bit brighter.
Filed under Uncategorised | Comment (0)Carols’s Funeral
Carol’s funeral was held yesterday, Friday 4th June 2010. The cremation service was held at Forest Lawn Crematorium at Leppington and afterwards, lunch and the memorial service at Glenquarie Anglican Church at Macquarie Fields. It was a sad but lovely event with many of Mum’s family, friends and colleagues. We think Mum would have been very proud and if she could have been there would have enjoyed herself tremendously!
Aldo has been picking up the vibe of the last week and, not knowing what was happening, has been a bit more demanding and clingy. Sitting on Megan’s lap became his favourite spot and he was more than happy to have more cuddles. He’s been really very sweet.
A very sincere thank-you to Megan’s friends who sent their condolances, some beautiful flowers and even a few who came to the funeral. Here is a photo tribute video that we made. Get your tissues ready….
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Filed under Uncategorised | Comment (0)Sad News
Megan’s Mum, Carol Walker, lost her battle with secondary breast cancer and passed away early on Sunday morning, 30th May. She was relatively well up until a few weeks ago when a rapid deterioration in her health brought confusion, immobility and heralded her admission into the Palliative Care Unit in Camden Hospital.
Our thanks go out to the wonderful nurses who cared for her and to all Mum’s friends and family who helped keep her company and hold her hand in her final days.
Mum, we love you and we’ll miss you dearly. xxx
Congratulations to Nan & Pa Walker
Megan’s parents have just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Beth, Rob and the kids came down from Darwin to surprise Mum and we had a big backyard BBQ with family and friends. It was loads of work but worth the effort so thank you to everyone who contributed their time and resources.
It was a particularly poignant day because Carol (Megan’s mother) is becoming increasingly unwell. The secondary breast cancer, which has been under control for 18 years, is taking its toll and her liver is no longer functioning normally and she is getting weaker. Luckily, the one thing the cancer can’t kill is her sense of humour and she can still make us all laugh.
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