Family

Heidi Ruth Bennett

Born 19/02/2010, weighing 3.74kg, born 3 days after the passing of Poppy (Kristy's much loved paternal Grandfather). Already nick-named by her own Grandfather, Opa Helmut, and other great aunts and uncles as 'Princess Poppy'.

Mum achieved a natural, drug-free water birth in the capable hands of Independent Midwife, Jennifairy Gillett and Student Midwife, Karen. With much love to each, as well as husband Michael, for their support throughout the pregnancy and birth.

So, what do you blog about when you are not, generally, online - at least not in a browsing kind of way and you are mostly doing the routine bits and bobs of life and nothing of particular note is really crossing your path?

Crap, I don't know either and even when people call me and ask what I am up to the most interesting answer I can give them is 'nesting'. Yes, my life has seemingly been so mundane that my Facebook status updates have revolved around nesting habits. Yep, they read as:

So, yesterday was our news day on Baby Bennett IV's kidneys. It should have rounded off as a good day because, although the kidneys were still pronounced, they had not ballooned which means no surgery immediately before or after birth. Instead, we will have another ultrasound in the weeks following baby's arrival to make sure everything is okay.

Afterwards we grabbed a late lunch - I got a beautiful vegan salad from Ruby's Organic Cafe (in Stirling) and celebrated that I should not have to see the Obstetrician again now and that it is me and my home birth midwife the rest of the way.

... when the place that does your ultrasound won't allow you to collect the report and insists on forwarding it directly to the Obstetrician?

Today was U-day, the day where my 20 week ultrasound issues were meant to be checked and reported on. It has been one of the longest days in my life and I find myself too emotionally and physically exhausted to even insist that my 5 year old get his tail back to bed rather than playing in the light of the kitchen just one room away.

Oh, what a joyful week that past last week. Along with spending so much time around water in the form of lakes, rivers, rock pools, waterfalls and the beach we have been wash with The Word too. Yes, we have spent the week at Capernwray Bible School for their Refresh 2010 conference with the theme: 'How is your soul? - Reflections from the Psalms'.

Happy Birthday PJ - I am glad that you made it to the big five year old mark. I hope that cutting the cake with your left hand wasn't too difficult and that you are looking forward to the chance to actually start writing, batting, and rock climbing again soon so we can re-start our new home schooling adventure with you on the team.

Thank you also to our friends in Bowral who made PJ's birthday all that he hoped - great friends, yummy food and a cake with pink icing - who could want for more?

Yep, it was going to happen eventually. It was just a matter of time and method and no it was not Mr White in the Library with the Candle Stick...

..no, he really made his big break in spectacular form fracturing his radius and ulna just centimetres from his wrist.

'How did he do it' I hear you ask?

The one thing about learning is that it can happen anywhere and that often, for our children it is happening right under our noses. It happens to us often right in our very own backyard. However, since we were in Canberra and in the house that a generous family had given us use of the learning moved to their backyard instead!

Whilst in Canberra I could not pass up the opportunity to see 'Masterpieces from Paris' an exhibition of 112 post-impressionist art pieces that will knock your socks off.

So, whilst in Canberra we thought we'd throw down the gauntlet with an unfamiliar indoor rock climbing wall. With William to young and me too pregnant to belay, leaving Michael out also we threw the challenge to Karl and Peter. Both did their best and we couldn't be prouder of each of them.

Karl is not certain with heights. He has a healthy fear and has not yet learned how to trust the rope or the person controlling them. He strived for his best and achieved it.