Month O' Fun

October has been a VERY fun month! Come to think of it, most months are pretty fun 'cause I get to do cool new stuff all the time!

The first weekend in October we went up to Bathurst Island, north of Darwin Australia, for visit our friends, the Cooks. Mikayla ,4, and twins Tani and Lisa, 3, and I had a GREAT time, running around, playing games, playing outside, going swimming, cuddling and all sorts of other things. Mum and Dad had a great time with Aaaron and Jess too! We ate freshly-caught Barramundi (go Aaron and Dad!) and mud crab (thanks to their neighbors) and I went on my very first fishing excursion with Lisa and Mikayla. We even went to the beach one evening. Because there are crocodiles in the ocean here, you can't swim in it so we went at low tide, when there were some little pools left away from the shoreline. It was great fun and we got wet and dirty- what more could I want?! I do believe I could have stayed there and played with the girls forever, but after a few short days we had to catch the ferry back to Darwin. We got back to Darwin and stayed in a nice hotel that night and even went swimming the next day before catching the plane home to Alice Springs.

After returning home, I got a cold which was a bit of a bummer! But I got better a few days later and am back to my usual self! Our friends Adrian and Caren moved this past week to the East Coast. We had a farewell for them and it was very sad to see them go-- I hear Caren was even around when Mum had me! Last weekend was Dad's work Halloween Party for kids. I dressed up and went along and played with some familiar friends, Caleb and Sawyer. I got to wear my pretty ballerina dress again today for our Mums Group Halloween Party!

That's all, folks! Take a look at my pics and hopefully we will have some videos up soon too. Love to you all!

Food, Fun, and Celebration...

Hello again, everyone! Welcome back for another installment of The Life of Carly! I've been very busy exploring everything, testing a few boundaries, eating everything in sight and playing...lots of playing!

In addition to the playgroups and other fun stuff we normally do, there has been lots of cool stuff happening in town the last few weeks. I got to see a parade for the opening of the Alice Springs Desert Festival. There were dancers and musicians and people dressed up in funny costumes. One furry little bear even gave me some stickers! After that, Mum, Carolyn and I went to a school carnival, ate some yummy food, walked around, made a new friend on the slide and then got to go in the jumping castle. Now THAT was fun. I jumped around with two other kids and was having a great time when the lady told me it was time to finish. I tried telling her "I stuck!" and when that didn't work I just ran and buried myself in a big crevice of the jumping castle...but she found me. Oh well. I will have to improve my evasive maneuvers for next time.

We went to a wedding two weeks ago! The ceremony was outside and I wore a very pretty dress. I had cuddles with Auntie Ruth and then played with all the other kids. We went and had good food to eat but then went home 'cause I was pretty tired. Last weekend we went to a birthday party for one of Mum and Dad's friends. There were lots of other kids there. We snuck chips off the table, played in the cubby house, jumped on the trampoline and ran around. At the end of the night all the kids went in the house and watched a movie. My friend Josh Gee (we were at his house) was on the floor all snuggled up with a beanbag and a blanket. I went over and cuddled up next to him for a minute. THEN I went in for the kill...and kissed him! He jumped up and scooted aside while I nestled into the beanbag and pulled the blanket up on me. Who knew it would be that easy? Later I tried the same thing on his big brother, Daniel, but he just smiled...and didn't get up.

I went to the doctor and they said I weigh 11.5 kilos (25.3 pounds) and am 85.5cm tall (not quite 2 feet 10 inches). I have been sleeping a bit better than before, which is good. My hair is getting so long and Mum even put a cute little braid in the other day. I really like pickles ("pipi"), mushrooms and olives, which apparently proves I am my Mum's child, whatever that means. Cheese ("sheese") is still one of my favorites, but I certainly like toast ("toast"), frozen peas ("peese"), pear ("pere"), KTime Bars ("bar"), chicken ("bach bach") and, if I can talk Mum into it, lollipops ("pop"). I eat most things, actually! I'm not a huge fan of brushing my teeth but Mum and Dad say I have to or I may not be able to eat all that tasty food! I really like singing and doing the motions to songs. I yell out to Mum every time an airplane ("airpane") goes over our house, I love to dance around, climb on the furniture, be chased around the house and tickled (most of the time). Mum and Dad tell me that they had an "utasond"...and whatever that is said I'm going to have a baby sister. That's cool. Doesn't really matter to me whether I have a brother or a sister. Either way, I'll have someone to blame things on...I mean...play with. =) Well, take a look at the most recent photos! Love you!

Around The World and Back Again...

Hello, everyone! I know it has been a long time since I did a blog. I have been very busy! At the end of May we went to the USA to visit family and friends over there. We first went to Kansas City, where we saw Nana, Great Grammy and Grandaddy, Grandpa and Amy, Sara and Laurel, our friends the Hendrixes and other friends too. We went shopping, all sorts of running around, swimming, played lots of games...and I talked Nana into turning Mickey Mouse on for me lots too! Dad had to go do some work in Denver and then in Baltimore, so Mum and I just hung out at Nana's and saw everyone in KC.

We flew to Texas and hung out with our friend Kim for the night, then went to Auntie Summer and Uncle Josh's house for the night before going to Lake Conroe for the week. Papa, Auntie Crystal, cousin Ariel, Josh, Summer and Whitney came with us. We had a great time! We swam in the lake and the pool, chased and fed the ducks, played on the playground and in the condo, went shopping and even went on a boat too!

We drove back up to Dallas and stayed with Grandma and Papa Steve for a few days. We played the piano, went to the mall and saw all sorts of things. We went to our friends Brian and Natalie's house for a few days too. I hear they are having a baby soon, but he wasn't out yet so I didn't get to play with him...bummer. But we played cards and watching a couple of DVDs, played in the sprinkler and even had a barbecue! Unfortunately we don't have any photos of Grandma and Steve's or Brian and Nat's because the camera was lost in a backpack in a closet and only retrieved the day that we left. =( We'll be better next time, promise!

We flew to Georgia and saw Great Grandma Moore, Uncle Marty and cousins Pierce and Troy...and don't forget the dog named Chuck. You could say 'POW' and he would fall over...funny dog! I like saying POW now! I looked at everything around Great Grandma's house, played with Marty, Pierce, Troy and Chuck. We went out to eat, I tried on Great Grandma's hats (see pics)and she rubbed my back lots too. That was nice!

After that we left Georgia and came back home to Alice Springs. It was such a great trip and I had a fabulous time with all my family and friends! Since we have been back, lots has happened. The Show (a carnival) came to town so we went and had a look around, jumped on the jumping castle and I even rode the train, though I wasn't sure I liked it until I was off. Other than that, we've been hanging around the house, seeing my little friends, blowing bubbles, playing the park, playing with food and play dough too and have even gone to several parties!

I am enjoying all my toys and seeing my little friends again. I am even learning to go to sleep in my own bed by myself (well, me and my bear). I'm really getting the hang of it! This weekend we have a surprise birthday party and a 'hens night' (friend Sara is getting married in a few weeks) to go to...party on. By far though, the biggest news to date is that I'm apparently going to be a big sister in February. I'm not quite sure what I think about that yet...but I'm sure I will let you know when I figure it out. =) For now, take a look at all the pics from the USA and since we've been back! Love you all!

...With an Ocean View

What do you get with a month and a vacation? LOTS to photos and videos. Well, 85 pictures and 15 videos to be exact! And in just a few days we leave to go to the USA to see our family and friends there!

Let's see...so much has happened lately! I have a new baby! Well...okay, 'Auntie Ruth' and 'Uncle Rodney' (here, little kids like me call really, really good friends 'Auntie' and 'Uncle') have a new baby, Rachel! Mum helped host their baby shower before we went on our vacation a few weeks ago. Dad and Rodney and I went and walked around town while they did...what do you do at a baby shower? Anyway, baby Rachel was born a few days after we got back to Alice Springs. We got to go see her in the hospital. I really like her! I think I will have to teach her lots of things.

Our vacation was so much fun! While we stayed with our friend Mark Hauser, we went to Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo and saw lizards and tortoises and goats and pigs and koalas and crocodiles and kangaroo and birds and elephants and...well, you get the idea. We pet the pigs and the koala and the goats ate from my hand. It tickled a little bit but it was great! I was pretty tired after all of that so I took a nap while Dad and Mark went surfing.

The next day, we went and saw some more friends, Ariana and Xavier and their Mum and Dad, Lyndell and Jason. We had such great fun running around, playing in the tent and linen closet and generally getting into trouble! We had yummy dinner with our friends Matt and Mat, who live over on the coast and the next day we headed to Rainbow Beach. We got to play on the beach and it was GREAT! Mum and Dad thought we could just 'wade' because it was kind of cool outside, but I had other plans. In the end, I got pretty soaked...but that's what you're supposed to do at the beach, isn't it?! We walked up to a place called The Sand Blow. I was asleep on the way up, so I guess Mum and Dad carried me in the stroller up the steps, but then I woke up. The Sand Blow is a really HUGE sand pit! We have included video and pics of it.

After that, we went to Hervey Bay to look around and play on the beach some more before heading up to see 'Auntie Caren's' wedding. I made some new friends at the wedding and Caren looked so pretty. We came home and have just been hanging out, playing around the house and with friends. The other day there was a little party at a park nearby. We went and ran around, danced to 'If you're happy and you know it', met and pet two police horses, ate some cake and rolled around in the jumping castle. Well, technically it was a 'silly donkey'. And I say 'rolled around' because I just figured out how to stand up in the silly thing and it was time to get out. Next time, lemme at it!

'Auntie Carolyn' is going to watch me tonight so Mum and Dad can have a date and a very good sleep. I really like playing with Carolyn and she gives pretty good cuddles too. We leave for the USA in just 3 days. Mum says the plane ride will be VERY long, but no one will get bored- I will keep them entertained! So...I will see some of you soon and some of you not so soon. But lots of love to ALL of you! And don't forget to check out the pics! (same link as above)

New day...new word

Hello, all my friends out there in the world! Life here in Alice Springs is going pretty well!

Let's see...Swimming lessons just finished up a couple of weeks ago. It's getting too cool to swim anymore, but that's okay. I'm enjoying playing outside lots more since it isn't so hot all the time. And I get to swim in just a couple of months in the USA! Mum and Dad took down the pool in our yard this weekend. But they replaced the pool with a little cubbyhouse with a slide! I still REALLY like going to the park, but this slide is in my very own yard- how exciting!

I've decided that I really like climbing...anything. It's just plain fun. I think I kind of freaked Mum out when she came in the room and I was sitting up in my high chair, ready to eat. I climb up on all the chairs and can just make it up onto Mum and Dad's bed! But they are not too fond of my climbing on the coffee table. And when they found that I could climb up on the windowsill in my bedroom from the chair nearby, the chair was mysteriously relocated. Hmmm.

Our friends the Cooks moved a few weeks ago. We are all pretty bummed that they are gone but I hear that they like their new home. And we are going to go visit them sometime soon! I put a photo in the album of our last little play together ('the girls').

I have been enjoying Kindermusik a lot. When Mum tells me it's time to go to Kindermusik, I get pretty excited! It's fun to go dance and sing but it's kind of fun to watch Mum dance and sing too. She is silly sometimes!

A few weeks ago, Mum and Dad went to our friends' wedding. I stayed with our friends 'Auntie Ruth' and 'Uncle Rodney' for the night. It was the first time I have ever been away from Mum and Dad overnight but they took good care of me. We went for a swim and then I had a bath. We ate dinner and played before I went to bed. I only woke them up 3 times before getting up at 6.15am. =) I was just helping to prepare them for their new little baby, due in just a few weeks!

I went and had a check up Dr appointment a few weeks ago. I weigh 10 kilograms or about 22 pounds. I have just gotten a few new teeth so I have 12! They are a bit of a pain, but they sure help to chew up food. I have figured out how to blow my nose too. I think it's kind of fun to do it when there is no tissue there...and then to not blow when Mum does give me a tissue. I know how it all works...it's just a fun game!

The greatest development is all of my new words! Finally my tongue is catching up with my brain. Well, sort of. 'Dog' comes out a bit like 'duh'. 'Stuck' (a word I use at least 12 times a day) is 'stuh'. I know 'down'(dow) but haven't mastered 'up' yet. Then there are those pesky words that sound a bit the same: 'book'(buh), 'bird'(burh) and 'bye'(bah). I do come out with some pretty cool stuff sometimes. The other day Mum was asking me where I had put my drink bottle. I lifted my hands up and said 'duh nuh' (don't know). And today I was telling Mum that I wanted to watch Mickey Mouse and I said 'mih mow'. Still, my all time favorite word is 'no' and that's one I know how to say perfectly.

I have some videos to put online but those will have to wait for another day 'cause I need to hit the hay. Much love to you all! Check out my pics!

The 'Mother Load'

Hi there! For this blog I come to you from Alice Springs, with a variety of photos, 6 videos and many tales about my life. I hope you enjoy!

I think I am getting very big and figuring out lots of stuff. I know how to climb up on the couch by myself now, but sometimes I forget that I know how and have to ask Mum or Dad for help...by crying. Don't worry, I'll work on that. I have been exploring my nose a bit lately. Did you know that there are 2 HUGE caverns hidden behind the outside of your nose?! Speaking of noses, I really like giving 'eskimo' kisses. Regular kisses are still good though too.

In the morning, Mum makes me some oatmeal for breakfast. I blow on it when it's too hot so it will cool down faster. Sometimes, I like eating imaginary food. I take an imaginary cracker from Mum's hand and put it in my mouth- yummy (a fav new word). Then I will give Mum something imaginary to eat too. Yesterday, I got a little baby doll from the store. I like to carry him around with me and cuddle him and practice wrestling moves on him too.

I have finally come to terms with my addiction...for toilet paper. It started out innocently when I discovered that I liked to weight lift with a big 18 pack. It has progressed to ducking into the cabinet when Mum doesn't know I'm there and dragging out a package to take with me. But the other day was truly the worst- I had a total melt down in the middle of the supermarket when I saw a big display of squishy, yummy, soft toilet paper and Mum wouldn't give me just one package. She said we had enough at home. I have called 1-800-ilove-tp and the good folks there are helping me out.

You all know that I'm a BIG fan of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We had a tragedy the other day- our DVD player bit the dust. While we were getting it fixed, there was no Mickey to be had in this house- very dark days. But something good did come out of it- I started learning French. One day, Mum found some Mickey Mouse clips on youtube and put them on for me, but didn't realise they were in French instead of English. I didn't mind though. It did sound a bit strange but it still made me laugh AND it gives me a head start on my foreign language!

We have been getting out and about a lot. Swimming and playing in the park are two very fun things to do. I have just discovered the slide and I am a huge fan. In fact, Mum checked one out from the Toy Library (like a book library, except with toys) for me to play with for a couple of weeks. I have included video of my sliding adventures. We got a little bike seat for me to go riding with Mum. I am not too big a fan of the helmet, but I will put up with it 'cause riding is pretty nifty. I have also started going once a week to Kindermusik- a fun program with music and dancing and instruments and books and all sorts of fun stuff to do and play with. It only lasts for 45 minutes but I'm usually ready for my nap after that!

Speaking of naps, I had better go now. Enjoy the photos and videos, specially edited just for you! See ya!

Installment #2...finally

Well, it's here, folks! Installment #2 has arrived. Hopefully after all this time, you're not expecting something super duper exciting...but more photos and a video of me might be exciting, huh? =) By the way, my new favorite word is 'no'...as in 'no, I don't want more to eat'... or 'no!'(with head nodding), 'cause imitating Mum is ornery...or 'no, no, no, no, no, no...', 'cause it's a fun word to say! Well, I'm off to my next adventure! See my pics here