Our "fig twig" has done really well this year - doubled in size and the leaves are looking wonderfully healthy. It is behind a barrier (normally our fagoli patch) to protect it from toddler trampings.
Our first strawberry is contemplating it's own photosynthesis. I played with the colours only because the real colours haven't developed yet but I am very excited when the time will come that we can pick our own and enjoy!
I have now entered that "zone" where my world has pretty much shut down around me except for preparations for the impending birth.
I don't remember it happening this early with Dante, but I do remember those last few weeks at work where there was zero concentration on anything unconnected with babies, labour and motherhood.
We have been busily preparing the house for the new arrival, spring cleaning every cupboard in sight, I even managed to convince my sister to come down from Brisbane and show me how to clean my bathroom so it was as nice and clean as hers! Thanks Clairie!
There is still so much to do, I had a little scare that made us think we might be welcoming a November baby rather than a December baby and that has on the one hand made me more determined to have everything ready as early as possible, but also to stop doing so much (doctors orders). While I haven't really been exerting myself, I certainly can notice now when I try to accomplish something it is taking me much longer and requires much more concentration than normal!
Dante has been a champion through all this. He is often neglected, left to play on his own while I bustle about with loads of washing, emptying cupboards and then the mandatory re-coup on the couch afterward! I also can't bend over to quickly pick up his toys or join him in a quick game of "rockets" or such, and while he will often express some resentment he is generally good natured about it all. Thank god he still has his refuge at the child care centre to go and run amok with his mates!
My care factor for many other things that I would normally consider important is waning also, and I really need to up my discipline to make sure I keep connected with my friends, and my study - these are the two that I have seriously let slip. I have a uni exam in two weeks so I have already highlighted my study times in which I will force myself to revise. I received two HD's for this course already, I would hate to let it all slip now at the end.
The one thing that has certainly made all this easier is the onset of spring. Our backyard has turned from wasteland to wasteland with some pretty flowers. No seriously, for the first time in several years we have green, green grass. It has been annouced that we will be allowed to water the lawn on weekends right over christmas, and that combined, with our washing machine connected to a grey water hose we hope to keep it green long into the new year. The roses look the best they have ever done, but I don't need to tell you - see for yourself:
This is a "fresia rose" and smells divine. It was mum and dad's when they lived in canberra, I never managed to make it look as good as they did, but I think I am pretty close this year!
This dark mahogany rose was in our garden when we brought the house - we don't do anything to it besides a little clip here and there and every year it never fails to bloom and look lovely.
I never thought I would be this excited about green lawn. Go the grass!
Last summer we moved our citrus around and in the process lost our lemon tree, and made our orange and kaffir lime very unwell. Luckily the kaffir lime has sprouted some buds giving us some hope that we will be able to enjoy some homemade fishcakes and laksas!
These are my babies - my grapes. Apparently they taste awful but I love the look of them and grapes in a wine barrel is just a combination made in heaven. There is parsley in the bottom. Dante knows what parsley and orgegano is and can now go and pick them for me when I am cooking (although he tends to be a stingy when I request a handful I am lucky to get a leaf or two!)
