2007 Kickoff
 
New years eve was spent with friends up the central coast of NSW, a BBQ and catching up. This was during our week at the beachside where we had a ball just hanging out, taking Keian to the beach, seeing friends, playing bingo, taking walks and eating out. It was a lovely week. None too soon the week came to an end and we had to head back to Sydneyand prepare for Paul’s return to the UKwhich was not something we were looking forward to. We still managed to have some nice family time, quiet dinners and some trips to DarlingHarbourand the Zoo there.
 
Keian thrived in his Daddy’s company and enjoyed the rough and tumble, cuddles and playing. He entertained us with chattering and walking, climbing rumbles and walks to the shops with Paul for the paper and the mandatory chocolate milkshake. Every morning he climbed into our bed and played with us but would not let Paul out of his sight in fear of him slipping out for the paper and milkshake without him.
 
It was a very sad day for us all when we had to drive Paul to the airport and say goodbye for now….enough on that, we are now counting the days down until we are all together again.
 
The week after Paul left Keian and I received all our goods from Germany and unpacked into house which will be our home for the foreseeable future. Mum and Dad came down to give me a hand which Keian and I enjoyed. The house is somewhat organized thanks to Mum, Kieren, Cheryl, Dad and Neil helping me out. Keian loved having Mum there and was thoroughly spoilt by Gran. He also thought it was great seeing Grumps arrive back on twice during the week and obviously enjoyed some male company.
 
We have also had time to join a club up the road which has swimming, squash, tennis, gym, kids club and bar/café. Paul was able to go there and see it also before he left and we look forward to getting into shape there once he is able to get home.
 
In the meantime we have flown up to Queensland to spend sometime with Paul’s parents following John’s surgery on his neck/back last week. John is home now and continues to improve everyday. Sandra is still running around hardly stopping to sit down from sun up to sun down…..It is great to see them improving following their accident and being able to enjoy some fun times with Keian.
 
Keian is thriving and enjoying swimming, playing, walking, getting into cupboards and keeping the three of us entertained all his waking moments.
Yesterday we took Keian to Mooloolaba beach and he bee-lined for the water and waves despite the clouds and rain that had moved in. He really is a water baby and even fights with Chloe for her water dish which he enjoys playing in.
It is a real competition for Nanny’s attention between Chloe the Dog and Keian the grandson, both follow her around the house to see what they may be able to get into yet. He still loves his broom and mop and is often trying to help Nanny around the house…although how much help he is is debateable.
 
Whilst we are enjoying being back in Australiait is definitely overshadowed by our longing for Paul to be with us and our family to resume some resemblance of normality. Paul continues to work with CSC to organize his return to Australiaand the appropriate role. We count the days until this can come to fruition.
 
Until then we are continuing to grow this second little angel to come and join our family and at 26 weeks I am still feeling well and definitely not having the time to sit and expand like I did last pregnancy (thank goodness). Keian sees my belly as a great place to sit, lie and bounce at any opportunity, he really does make me laugh and he sure needs his Dad back here to have a good rough and tumble. Until then Nanny and I are kept on our toes and quite often left breathless whilst he comes out the winner of our rumbling sessions….it is gorgeous to watch and hear him laugh so loudly.
 
Keian is now walking and chattering away in his own language. He is head strong and lets you know what he wants and when he wants it. He is addicted to Hi 5 and will watch it day in day out if you let him. He wanders around the house as if he is King Tut! His latest tricks being to pick things up and deposit them elsewhere such as in rubbish bins, down toilets, in the bath, in cupboards etc etc. So it is routine for me now to do a check around the place to find everything again. He loves Nanny’s sink cupboard and laundry cupboard, I am sure he will be a cleaner when he grows up. He loves to sweep, dust and mop and often sees himself as a big help when Nanny is trying to finish cleaning…..
 
To all those over in the colder regions we often think of you and whilst not envious of where you are we do wish you could share the wonderful summer we are having downunder in Australia. We look forward to hopefully hosting the first of our European visitors when Alex, Ursula and the kids come and visit us in March! So to the rest of you get your planning into high gear for the second half of this year will be here before you know it.
 
Dependent on Paul’s work situation Keian and I will be returning to Londonto be with Paul in March, so hopefully your weather has warmed a little as we are out of condition to cope with cold weather.
To all of you in Australiathat we have caught up with, it is fabulous and for those we have not yet managed to spend enough time with yet, we are working hard on this.
 
I cannot update the website with all the photos yet but will do so in February sometime when I have access to our home hard drive. In the meantime I can access emails on the following email address: cozmurph25@aol.com until I get back to Sydney.
 
I trust this finds you and your families happy and healthy. Congratulations to Angela and Megan on the birth of their baby boys (Harry for Ang and Mitchell for Megan) this week. We look forward to meeting them.
 
All our love
Paul, Corrine and Keian.