Day 30 Another busy day

Only one minor interruption to my sleep and it didn’t involve changing beds. Lachie woke at 6:15. Following the usual breakfast routine, we dropped Lachie at Day Care, Tim at work and drove to the Port Market. A huge difference down there from my last visit. All the boats were out of the water in preparation of the water freezing.

The market was quite different to the autumn season. Still some fresh products, but now most of the stalls were selling “gift” items: lots of products in jars and bottles, cranberry season so the cranberry and blueberry stalls were selling every variation of their products, bottles of all kinds of vinegars, wines, jelly and now stalls of knitted alpaca goods (gorgeous, but SO expensive). I bought a few Christmas decorations and a wreath for Sarah and Tim’s door.

Because we only had a short time to fill in, Sarah drove the long way round to the appointment with the nurse for Amelia. This time no leaves and tress wrapped in white sheeting that looked like duct tape. Past the demonstrators. (Quebec has a constant assortment of them) When we arrived I had a few snoozes in the rocking chair in the feeding room for infants while Sarah and Amelia had their appointment. Very comfy. Amelia had put on 400 gms in a week, grown 2 cms longer and 2 cms wider in her head! Obviously doing well. We crossed the road to the Patisserie- bread for me and a muffin. They forgot to grease the paper and I had to wrench it off the edges and even worse it was flavoured of frangipane. It might be a favourite of French people, but not mine.

We came home for lunch. Sarah fed Amelia, then went down to get a parcel at the post office and to pick up some decorations for the tree. She collected the apartment’s Christmas tree from the storage locker. Smaller than anticipated, but it will at least mean that this apartment is in keeping with the Christmas spirit. While she was gone, I packed my bags for tomorrow. Leaving behind my old backpack. I bought a new one yesterday, which has a specific water bottle holder and a place for my laptop. The old one was unfortunately looking slightly worse for wear after getting paint on it during the house painting and had done many overseas trips.

We collected Lachie, then Tim and on the way home went via the Old Town, so I could take photos of some of the fantastic decorations. Every day they put up more and more. My wonderful hosts drove me around and I got out as quickly as possible, climbing over Lachie, and snapped as fast as possible. It is so easy to take photos of night lights at 5:00 pm in pitch black conditions.

Home to prepare dinner. After dinner Sarah put up the Christmas tree and after the baths and feeding, we set up the tree and Lachie helped to instruct us in the placement of the decorations. Lots of photos. Sarah sat down to write Christmas cards for me to take home while I downloaded photos and typed up my diary, while we had “Elf “ playing in the background.

Amelia dreaming of a white Christmas.

Day 29 Quebec

Wonderful sleep, with only one visit from my associate, which necessitated a change in beds at 2:30. Lachie woke up at 6:45! Yippee. No snow outside, but you could see it was cold outside both from the whitened footpaths and from multitudes of layers on the people below. The flags were flapping furiously indicating a cold wind.

We all ate breakfast, then dropped Tim at work. We went on to Walmart, where we bought things on our list, including a new card reader and back pack for me. Tim had searched many shops over the last few weeks for a card reader and I had been looking in Australia for a new backpack with a section for my lap top and bottle holder. We stopped to feed Amelia and have a cuppa. Amelia vomited all over Sarah and herself. Luckily we had just bought some new grow suits. Sarah had to use one straight away. It changed our shopping plans. Off to the change area to change two children and back out into the Arctic wind. Sarah sat in the car and finished feeding Amelia, then it was a quick drive home to get changed.

I went down the street as soon as we returned, because of the forecast of bad weather. The wind was freezing cold and as I was returning the ice pellets/rain started. Not pleasant to walk in. As soon as I entered the apartment the weather changed to a heavy snow fall. In less than ten minutes everything was white. Two snow ploughs charged down the road not long after.

The snow was interspersed by some rain so we didn’t get nearly as much snow as forecast. Lachie and I watched Shaun the Sheep movie. Sarah was having/ trying to have a nap.

She took Lachie to pick up Tim. Amelia slept while they were gone. I prepared vegetables for a frittata and made an apple sponge for dinner. After dinner and baths, we had Lachie’s usual truck races up and down the lounge/ passage way, which makes conversation almost impossible. The lady who lives one floor below must be saving up for carpet for this apartment. The noise of the truck wheels on the wooden floor is VERY loud.

Day 28 Sunny and a top of 1C

Lachie had a restless night. At 2 am he thought it was breakfast time. Possibly in another country? So an extra body in my bed, until I swapped beds. Up at 5:45 to the usual breakfast routine. He ate three breakfasts, depending on who was sitting at the table. Sarah and Lachie did some cooking

while Amelia had a sleep. We tried to leave to go to the park early in the morning, but Lachie quickly went to sleep in the pram, so we only went to the shops.

The sun might have been shining through broken light cloud, but it was very cold if you were in the wind. A top of 2 C today, but definitely a wind chill factor. (Currently at 5 pm it is 0 and feels like -7C according to the weather station.) There were occasional patches of snow, but most had been washed away, although the “snow cat” was still standing in the park.

Back for lunch and some TV. I was watching some Christmas decoration videos on my computer. At 3 we woke up Amelia, fed her and set off for the park in the Plains with Lachie on his bike and Amelia in the pram for the first time. The wind was bitter coming across the river and snow drifts. Lachie had lots of fun riding through and jumping in puddles. We went up to Joan of Arc Park where he was able to walk through lots of snow and jump in the snow too. I helped him re- purpose a snowman from some chunks of snow.

It was really icy, consequently difficult to mould, but we had fun. Then we threw chunks of snow at the snowman. The sun set at 4 and the light began to fade quickly.(It was completely dark by 4:30.) Time to return home and take off wet things and have a snack/ cuppa/ download photos in a warm place.

Sarah prepared dinner and I was typing. Tim came home and as I was dishing up dinner. Sarah had only seconds before asked Lachie how he was feeling because he was so hot to touch, when he suddenly vomited all over his truck quilt. The poor quilt got an emergency wash yesterday after being doused in a cup of coffee. Today’s emergency required just as quick a response. We all helped clean up floors, clothes, walls. Atypically with children, Lachie was running around within minutes and we sat down to eat dinner.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for an “interesting day”. An overnight minimum of -6C, which will feel like -11C, if you happen to be standing out there for any reason. Tomorrow promises a top of -1C, which will feel like -7C with the wind and 5>10 cms of snow. I may well need all my thermals tomorrow!

Day 27

What a difference sleep makes! Both young people had a good night = so did we. Lachie was up at 5:45 to his usual breakfast routine. Circles (Cheerios) first, followed by toast, then some of dad’s breakfast, finished off by mum’s. Sarah accidentally spilt her full cup of coffee over. It landed mostly on Lachie’s quilt so it was very quickly in the wash before coming back to clean up the rest.

Unfortunately light rain had spoiled our most recent snow fall. Tim took Lachie down stairs to play soccer in the heated car park. On my way to church I spotted a re- purposed snowman from yesterday. Now looking like a lucky Chinese cat. This time I took a photo as I walked past the first time in case he also fell over in the rain. He had already lost one arm.

After church I chatted to an older lady, who couldn’t really understand that Australia didn’t have snow at Christmas. She just thought that sometimes we didn’t get snow on Christmas Day. Father’s sermon was all about the swing to a secular celebration and how we seem to be giving season’s greetings, rather than Christmas greetings. Celebrating the season of winter, not Christmas? I was sitting there thinking wrong season for us despite snow featuring on many of our Christmas cards too. Maybe they are leftovers from the Northern Hemisphere?

From here I walked to Rue Cartier and the rain had changed to snow, but it was melting upon landing. I bought the milk, but could not find a can opener in two shops. Eventually found in the third. Must be the season for can openers? Both shops had empty places where they should be.

Home to lunch, followed by some housework then hand sewing until it was time to get ready to go out. Dinner with some of Sarah’s friends and families at a local pub.

Amelia slept through the entire time and Lachie was excellent. The food was good and our group had one section in what had been a domed cellar in previous history. Slight issue upon returning to our car to find a parking ticket. When Tim checked it out at home, he found he had accidentally entered the incorrect parking place number. Lachie needed extra time to run up and down for 20 minutes before going to bed. Fingers crossed for a good night’s sleep and more snow.

Day 26 Not a quiet day

Today was not quiet because of some very loud noise from both Lachie and Amelia. 

Amelia was her usual self during the night and just when she settled down, Lachie woke up- 3 am and hopped into my bed. After half an hour he had “invaded” every spare inch of my bed and I was squashed into cliff dwelling. I gave up and moved into his bed and we both had a sleep. He woke up at 6:15 ready for his breakfast. When he had been fed and was busy with his cars I managed enough of a cat nap to make a difference to my sleep deprived brain.

Just as Amelia was in, she vomited.

The beautiful cover of yesterday’s snow had started to melt under light rain. We aimed to go down the street in the early morning for a walk so that Lachie could have a play in the snow. That was the plan. One and a half hours later we finally set out after a series of meltdowns about being dressed in snow gear. (It was 1 C outside ) Amelia’s joined in the melee by contributing with her first projectile vomit as we were leaving. Both Sarah and Amelia had to get changed. By the time they were ready Lachie was asleep in the pram!

So that meant shopping without snow playing. We walked in falling snow/ light rain down to Rue Cartier. They bought a few items and met friends along the way. We came home via the Patisserie for me.

Just as I was about to photograph the biggest snowman we had seen, he literally fell in a heap, his carrot nose smashing into tiny pieces. Very similar to Olaf in Frozen. 

We returned home and had lunch. Tim eventually went down to the gym. Sarah took Lachie down for a swim with Tim when he had finished his gym work. Amelia fluctuated between snoozing and being unsettled. After the boys came up, Lachie played with Sarah and Tim for a while. When Tim’s family tried to make a video call, Amelia was being bathed and screaming as per usual. During the next attempt I fed Lachie an early dinner to enable a conversation on both sides. This was followed by more loud playing with his truck, while I used my computer. 

Peace finally descended when both children's sleep overlapped, until Amelia woke up while Sarah was eating dinner.  I changed Amelia, successfully removing and replacing the brace for the first time. (It would make a good comedy with all that Velcro. ) Peace again when Amelia went down. 

Amelia under Auntie Dorothy's knitted blanket

Day 25 Quebec – it snowed all day.

Amelia had a terrible night > so did all of the adults. Perhaps she had too much sleep during the day yesterday, or her brace was upsetting her, or because it was Friday?

Yesterday she went to a specialist about her hips – slightly “clicky” diagnosis. He recommended a brace to hold her hips in place, until her 6 weeks check-up/ scan. They had to go to another fitting place in the afternoon to have the brace fitted. Canadians have a much better system in trying to prevent possible future complications. She is only in the “possible” group and they are still prepared to be proactive.

Back to today: Lachie decided that 4:15 was wake up time! At least he went back to sleep for 45 minutes in my bed. At 5 am he decided that was enough and it was “circles time” – Cherios = time to get up! Got his breakfast and saw a white wonderland from the window, while we were playing cars. Snow as far as you could see. Once he was settled watching the TV, I had my breakfast and tried to catch a little snooze. Sarah, Tim and Amelia were up at 8. Everyone feeling extra tired. Tim was busy looking for Black Friday specials.

We were due at the hairdressers at 11 and of course Lachie fell asleep on the couch at 10! Waking him up after such a short sleep was difficult, but we all walked out the door in plenty of time to drive to the Château in Old Town, where their friend is the hairdresser. The snow was falling rapidly and swirling around in the wind. We had a short wait for the hairdresser and then it was a marathon to keep Lachie still while Olivia worked her magic with scissors. When she was finished he could see again. I stopped to take photos in the hotel foyer – an impressive group of Christmas trees decorated by different firms and companies.

Tim drove us back home and continued on to the shops. We had lunch and Sarah’s friend Theresa popped in for a quick visit. I walked down to Metro to pick up a few groceries. The snow was gently falling. My umbrella was very handy in keeping it off my head and coat. I cruised through a few local shops in case Lachie was having an afternoon sleep. I finally found a shop that sold soft toys. Amelia might inherit books, but Lachie is not giving up any of his soft toys and has already claimed Amelia’s only snow wolf. I had a visit to the pharmacy to buy something for my mouth ulcer and learnt about the procedure of getting served. As I walked back I stopped to take photos.

I hand washed some of the children’s new clothes when I returned and then prepared the meat sauce for dinner. Pasta for dinner. The snow was still falling. Amelia was determined to be fractious so I held her for a while so Sarah could eat her dinner. Lachie went to sleep quickly. Amelia fell asleep after several screaming sessions. Once she finally woke up it was time for me to resume typing and to down load the photos. 

Day 24 Quebec

A very quiet day

Lachie woke up at 6:30- very civilized.  Although he was unsettled during the night, he was easily settled. Then it was a bit of a rush for the family. They had an appointment at the doctor's for Amelia at 8:20. So they dropped Lachie off at Day Care, saw the doctor and went shopping for winter wear for the family.

Dad putting on Lachie's shoes

I did some housework, went online to order from the Black Friday pre-sales, then walked down the street to Metro for a few items for dinner. The weather was overcast, cold (needless to say) and slightly windy, which made the wind chill factor equal minus 2 C. When I returned home, I had lunch, then sat down to work on my hand sewing for the afternoon, before preparing dinner.

Slow but steady

The family returned home about 3:30, just before dark  and sorted through their new purchases before dinner. We finally heard that Heather and John had arrived safely back in Melbourne to a lovely welcoming sign from Gemma's children. (Note to Heather R. remember our sign in Mexico after that long wait.)

Not long to down load or to type up tonight. 

Donkey trying on Lachie's new shoes.

Day 23 Quebec

A good night’s sleep with Lachie waking at 5:40, a “little bit” early, but better than 2 am. Heather and John didn’t need to get up quite that early. I fed Lachie his first breakfast, then as usual he worked his way through several more. Tim drove his parents to the station to catch the train to Montreal. We watched the usual standoff between the parking infringement tow truck and the cars that needed to be off the clearway by 8.

Today the tow man was too busy chatting to his friend to notice one car was 5 minutes over. We have seen him drag them away at 2 minutes before. When Tim returned he took Lachie to day care. I walked to the Metro store for milk. The wind outside was strong and very cold, but the snow was almost melted.

I slowly defrosted and did a few jobs before setting off for the Musee National des Beaux Arts du Quebec at 11. It is only a short walk up the road and is a complex comprising of three separate buildings: displaying Historic, Modern and Contemporary Art- connected by an underground tunnel.

(Riopelle passageway) After checking in my outerwear and buying my ticket, I decided to go to the most distant point first and to start at the top floor of each building- Historic Art first.

That building was built in 1933 as the original Quebec Art Museum and the design details in the building reflected that period of architecture. I was surprised to find only three of Krieghoff’s paintings because he was from Quebec. While the entire historic collection was small, there were some nice pieces.They also housed some modern installations in this building.

From here I went to the next building: the Modern Art, housed in a much older building, which was the Quebec jail for 100 years. They had one collection in the original watchtower and you could still see some of the prisoner cells a few floors down. They were very austere. This building again housed had some spectacular pieces and some installations I didn’t like at all. One of my favourites was set out as a meeting and the rows of chairs were transformed into tortuous chairs. Reflecting the torture you feel at a long meeting? I had quite a laugh at that one. When I reached the ground floor I stopped at the café for a hot drink, before continuing on back into the Contemporary Art collection.

This building’s architecture was spectacular. Built in 1991. I saw some gorgeous Inuit works on the top floor. Just going up the stairs was like going through a work of art. Again some good collections and some not so. But again personal taste. There was a special exhibition of the French artist Bonnard. His famous black dogs was there, as were other paintings and drawings. I took photos of a few pictures and only realised half way round that there were some works with a “no camera” sign. Downloading I found I had accidentally taken one.

I retrieved my coat, rugged up and walked out into a cold late afternoon. A short walk home to a warm apartment, where I downloaded my photos. Sarah, Tim and Amelia went to get Lachie and played with him when they returned. I re-made the bunks beds and then it was time to get the dinner, do the dishes and sit down to type my diary.

Day 22 Quebec

Great night sleep by both Amalia and Lachie. Amelia took a long time to settle the night before and Lachie only stirred twice, but was easily settled. When he woke at 6:30 it was a bonus! The snow covered view was lovely, but it soon began to melt.

Breakfast, then Tim took his parents and Lachie to the shops.  After a few jobs around the house, I did a few hours of hand sewing. When they returned Lachie was asleep, so he was put to bed. At lunch time, some of Sarah and Tim’s friends dropped in for a very brief visit. I made egg in a hole because my bread had a huge hole through it.

Heather spent hours during the day sorting and packing ready for their return trip tomorrow.

After Lachie woke up, we all walked up to the revolving restaurant- “Ciel”. The weather was definitely cold outside. We had afternoon tea. A drink and some dessert. I ordered crème brulee. Not the usual kind that’s for sure. This custard was served in a basket of white chocolate and no crunchy top? More like a cheesecake texture.

The view was quite spectacular. The city was clear and the melting snow covering was lovely. We arrived late afternoon so I was able to take photos of the town at that point. Then as dusk came I took another set of photos. The only difficulties for both was the reflective glare from the windows.

Home and a quick dinner for Lachie, followed by bath time for both. Amelia’s cord had fallen out today, so Lachie was quite interested in her new belly button. Heather cooked mac and cheese dinner for everyone. I was happy with last night’s leftovers. 

Day 21 Quebec

Although Lachie stirred several times, I managed to settle him quickly, but Amelia’s screaming kept me awake for hours in the middle of the night and of course her parents too! Consequently when Lachie woke at 5:45 am my first thought was “you have to be joking”. While he might have wanted his mum I managed to get him into the lounge, TV on, breakfast eaten before Sarah woke. Soon after 8 it began to snow very lightly, but it melted before hitting the ground.

The nurse came at 10 to check Amelia and Sarah. She spoke English well and bought with her several gifts made for babies via “Project Linus ”. A gorgeous rug and beanie.

Amelia is back to birth weight and doing well. She had a huge backpack and a large bag containing the scales and all the other necessary gear. A few more hurdles for Tim and Sarah to jump over as far as getting all the paperwork done and another issue re immunisation schedules. Overall Canada, and in particular Quebec, seems to offer an excellent service for new mothers/ babies.

When the nurse left I walked down to the shop to get a few fresh vegies. Although no one in the store had any idea- I found Epsom Salts in the laundry section, in a packet labelled Epsom Salts! I was fairly certain the nurse would not suggest a product that did not exist. It was warmer walking today in the light snow than yesterday. But I had to put up my umbrella to keep dry in the melting snow. According to the locals they didn't get any good snow until very late last year -26 th December. The snow today was so light, but in some places it settled on cars/ trees. Definitely not enough to build a snow man.

Back for lunch and Lachie went down for his sleep. The snow got heavier during the afternoon. When Lachie woke up we tried to get to Cosco for some requirements, but he was being uncooperative and then heavy traffic delayed us so much that Tim had to send a message to his parents. He was to pick them up at the station at 4:30. They caught a taxi back to the apartment and we met them in the corridor just as we arrived back laden with all our boxes. 

While I prepared dinner Tim’s parents filled us in on their couple of days away. Heather put Lachie to bed, while Amelia was not at all in the sleeping mood. I typed out my diary.

At 9:00 Tim took us over the road to the Joan of Arc park to see the snow falling. It was a lovely walk.

Back to hear the sound of quiet children for about five minutes before Amelia woke again!

Day 20 Quebec

Celebrating a major coup last night.

Woke up at 5:15 feeling SO refreshed. Lachie slept through and was just beginning to stir. Amelia was waking each three hours during the night but at least the big brother was not. Yippee!

Lachie happily ate breakfast and then kept on grazing while I ate mine. He went with Tim to get breakfast bagels.

Soon after they returned, it was time for me to walk to church. It was cold, and drizzly, but not as cold as yesterday. The church had a large cloak room, which was a slightly different procedure; coats, hats, scarves, umbrellas off and hung up, then it was time to go through the door. Father was greeting people as they entered the church.  

It was a lovely building with a large carved wooden figure of Christ behind the altar, surrounded by organ pipes and gorgeous stain glass windows. The brilliant blue glass reminded me of Chartres Cathedral. St Patrick’s is the only English speaking Catholic church in Quebec. The current church was built in 1988 and incorporates furnishings, windows, artifacts of two previous churches, including a restored 1915 organ. There were a few differences to the service in Australia, but basically the same. I stayed behind after mass and took some photos of the interior. They have coffee after mass in a huge basement. I went down to join in and spent my time looking at photos and saved stain glass windows incorporated into the walls from previous buildings- possibly a boy’s and girl’s school?

After church I walked on down to the Metro supermarket for a few items, then onto the patisserie for bread and a croissant. There was a light mist, but you could see rain down in the valley. When I returned they were erecting the Christmas tree in the foyer. The apartment was empty. They had gone to the ships, so I put the clothes in the drier, swept and was washing the floors when the others returned. Both Lachie and Amelia were asleep.

Lunch time for adults, then Amelia woke up. Sarah went to bed while Amelia slept. While Lachie was asleep I typed up my diary and Tim was in the office. The afternoon was miserable outside. Dark, gloomy and wet. Lachie had been asleep for two hours when I woke him, then Tim took him to the undercover car park to ride his bike. Sarah had a good few hours of sleep. I did some hand sewing and then it was time for the dinner routine. Lachie ate all his dinner and was talking to Amelia on her play mat. “I be back when I eat my sausage” At least this time Amelia enjoyed part of her bath time, maybe she is slowly getting used to it?

After dinner and dishes it was time to sit down at the computer again. Now that Amelia has lost her “squashed birth face” she is looking more and more like Sarah as a baby.

Issues. I thought it was just last night and a card error/ the computer was too full. So I transferred a week’s worth of photos, but still had issues and ended up using the card reader on one card and the camera for the other. But tonight the card reader just would not work at all- dead. I was able to download from the Olympus via the camera, but the Nikon was problematic. Luckily Tim had an SD card reader in his computer and then we used a memory stick to transfer the photos. The next issue I have not managed to solve is that one camera is not recording sound! Important when filming children.  

Day 19 Quebec

Lachie had a shocker last night. His disturbed night was timed perfectly to connect with the times between Amelia’s sleep times. Consequently not a lot of good sleep happened among any of the adults and one child.

Lachie, Sarah were up before me. I made his breakfast, then my own. We planned to go to the shops, but Troy was tired, so I walked to the shops and bought a few items at Metro and had a chat with a lady who was with some boys trying to raise money for a soccer trip. The sun might have been shining at some point of the day but the wind was bitterly cold and the cloud was now low. Then I continued down to the patisserie, before returning with one sore foot. Tendonitis my guess. Lachie did not go to sleep until I returned, despite Tim’s best efforts.

After lunch I noticed some trucks going past. The number increased and so did the horn blowing. It became very difficult to hear the tv and the noise woke up Lachie. They were obviously protesting about something “Enough is enough” was on one of the flags. Once he was fully awake, Lachie was most impressed by all the trucks.

Eventually we went to the mall to buy items for Amelia and Lachie. The mall was already decked out in Christmas decorations. We only went to Walmart and Toys R Us. Lachie managed to get lost for a short time in Toys R Us- slightly disconcerting. He tried out almost everything in the shop, including the skate boards with Tim’s help.

As we drove home the phone rang, Amelia began screaming and Tim tried to have a conversation with Peter from Australia in the “night” traffic (5pm) with a screaming baby and a fractious overtired Lachie. Once we arrived in the underground garage, the conversation was almost impossible to hear, so he got out and we were left with two cranky kids in the car. Sarah fed Amelia- solved one and I began to unpack Lachie’s truck until Tim returned.

Back in the apartment, Lachie was in full flight of crankiness. I prepared the shepherd’s pie and apple cake. Sarah fed Amelia and Tim played with Lachie. Eventually bath time. Amelia HATES having her clothes off, so a bath was a pure screaming session. Lachie was happy to get in and get clean. Just not happy to eat anything substantial. Dinner after the two children went down. Dishes and Amelia was up again. Non-stop hungry. I began typing, but still have to do today’s photos and discovered that I was days behind in my blog due to the embargo on publishing. Finally caught up but it might be a long night? Amelia is unsettled.

Day 18 Quebec

Day 18 Quebec

Woke early when Lachie started wriggling. At 5:45 he was up and eating his breakfast number 1. When Heather got up, he helped her eat her breakfast and did the same with John’s. By the time I was eating he’d had enough. Then Lachie helped his grandad fix the chair.

We all set about decorating the unit for the return of Sarah, Tim and Amelia. I went down the street while Heather settled Lachie for his morning sleep. More shops with Christmas decorations, by the time I returned Lachie was asleep and Heather and John had finished packing for their trip to Montreal by train. Heather made a cake while waiting for Tim to return and Lachie woke up.

When the happy family returned, Heather and John had a few cuddles before going to the station with Tim. While he was gone Amelia did a massive poo. Sarah was cleaning her up, she was screaming, Lachie was running up and down with his truck, when there was a knock at the door. I answered it still carrying the offending nappy in a bag, to find a delivery man, with limited English, carrying a large basket of fruit from Tim’s work. I think after hearing the chaos inside, he might have hoped to just dump it and run, but he was charming. Lachie was most impressed by the basket, not by the fruit but by the cookies/ biscuits.

When Tim returned, we had lunch, did a load of washing and just relaxed. Sarah was waking Amelia up every three hours to help her milk supply. I answered a few emails. Tim and Lachie went over to the park to play at 3:30, where Lachie ran and ran. He became so hot he took off his jacket and then his pants.

While I prepared dinner Tim played with Lachie and Sarah fed Amelia. Lachie had an early bath. Amelia went down for a sleep and then we had dinner. Lachie went down relatively quickly and we settled down to the evening.