A Perfect Summer's Day.

Yesterday was a little overcast and fairly gusty.

But today.....TODAY was perfect!

We were on the beach by 7:30am - the sun already high, the air had a gentle breeze to it and the water was crystal clear. The clouds slowly parted, revealing a blanket of blueness. All of my senses were alive to the tune of Summer.

Today was a perfect Summer's day!

With buckets and spades in hand, sun-hats on heads and layers of thick sun-cream oozing over our skin, we basked in the purity of the morning.

Although early, the beach was already alive with families and swimmers, runners and surfers. People of all ages and walks of life, together, making the most of this beautiful place.

Chris, Tony & Jayden headed striaght out into the surf - Chris armed with his GoPro water camera to capture some awesome footage, whilst Jenni, the kids and I hung in the washy foam of the shoreline.

We discovered Ryder's happy place....

The water was refreshing yet warm, and the sun's heat had a slight prickle to it - but still comfortable. Just that little whisper, that can only be heard on Summer's mornings. 

For almost two hours, we played, splashed, swam, ran, dug, explored.... and simply lived! I breathed in what was happening around me - the perfection, the bliss! Family and blessings and the true essence of Summer.

This is EXACTLY what I want for my kids - happy childhood memories of togetherness and fun. I want them to grow up with fond recollections of Summer and holidays and the perfection of days like today. I want them to know what it feels like to have salty-dried cheeks and sandy feet. To be knocked over by frothing waves and sweat-trickled skin. I want them to remember the giggles and faces and freedom. The easy, slow pace and the post-beach-exhaustion that leaves you feeling both tired, yet perfectly content.

Grandparents and Kids.

Pa and Ryder.

*************

Having Jayden here is always a blast. He's such a good kid. We laugh and joke and basically.....have fun! He is such a good big brother to Ella and Ryder - patient and gentle, considerate and protective. Everything a big brother should be!

Father and Son.

****************

At lunchtime today, we hired two jet skis and headed out for some serious adrenalin-pumping fun.

My muscles are aching and my skin has a slight burn to it.

I love summer!!

****************

Holidays are exhausting, didn't you know?!

On that note, I'm off to bed.

G'Night All x

P.S. Pop in tomorrow for another great giveaway.... :)

Beaching.

Today, we arrived at our annual 'Summer holiday'.

Before checking into our 'usual' hotel room, we christened our holiday with a quick beach play, followed by a Sushi lunch and a swim in the hotel pool.

From there, we unpacked bags and got set up in our room. Ryder and I did a big grocery shop and..... a trip to the bottle shop of course.

Chris took Ella and Jayden to the 'American Candy Store' and back to the swimming the pool, while Ryder and I went to Starbucks to stock up on my favourite instant coffee granules.

And then we finished off the day with a lazy dinner or picky foods and antipasto out on the deck, overlooking the coastline.

Perfection I tell you!

I have been looking so forward to this week.

A week of sun-kissed babies, long swims in the pool, sandy toes and salt-crusted cheeks. I can't wait to devour all things summer, have family come and stay. And seep this holiday for everything it's worth!

I do love me some summery goodness!!

***********

Tonight, after I put Ryder down to sleep in his portacot and poured myself a Mojito, I drank in the serenity of this place. I love our new tradition of coming here, to this exact hotel, and exact room, every summer.

Even though clouds littered the sky this evening and rain drops sporadically fell, I still admired the beauty of this place. I breathed in the salty beach air and exhaled. Ready for a week of nothing.....as well as a week of so much!

I love summer.

And summer holidays!

Cheers!

Day Three - Soaking it all up.

This morning we woke to this; a volcano of light over the horizon. It made for a promising day.

Chris set off for an early morning run. He ran to the top of "One Tree Hill"...twice, because that's what he does. He stood on the highest rock and breathed in the goodness of the fresh sea air. Running on new ground, to new places; excites him. High on life is a good way to start the day, don't you agree?

Each day, our morning ritual looks like this:

Poolside fun.

Chris & I constantly notice how alike Ella & Ryder are....yet how different they are too. Both waterbabies.....but in their different ways. One a little hesitant, and not a fan of water on the face - the other, not a fear in the world and approaches the water with gung-ho force...splashing up a storm & giggling at it's consequences :)

Both have such a love for life, and adventurous little spirits, yet they each approach it in completely different ways. I like that.

I've been doing a lot of people watching here. I love sitting back & watching people interact, react, and go about their ways. There's a lot of love here on this island. There's a love-filled energy floating around. We've been breathing it in, feeding off of it. Lots of young families, just like us - getting away from routine & repetition...all the whilst giving our kids some great memories. Older couples reuniting their bond, over poolside lays & hand in hand beach strolls. Honeymooners....lots of honeymooners - relishing in the warmth of being newly wed, bouncing on that high that comes so naturally after the joyous event of a wedding. Pregnant women; soaking up their last days of 'freedom', alone time & peace. Gay couples, new couples, singles - all kinds of people here - enjoying this magical place, and loving it.

**********

We headed to the Animal Sanctuary today. A great way to spend a quiet hour.

Ryder loves being so close to Chris, strapped to his front - right where he belongs. He is such a Daddy's Boy. They fuel each other with happiness when they're able to give each other this much attention & together time. These two can go hours, strapped to each other; happily.....contently.

Chris works fairly long & inconsistent hours. Being self employed means he doesn't have 'set work hours'. Most nights he has work to complete, and sometimes work can overlap into the weekends. He rarely shuts off. And me; being a busy Mum who likes to cram lots into each day, all whilst running a business from home, is easily distracted and usually run-off-my-feet. But, this week has provided us with exactly what we needed. Some together time. Just the 4 of us. Instead of being passing ships at the end of long work days, we're present & close & rebuilding connections, as a family. This has got to be the highlight of holidays & time away, don't you agree? The picturesque place we're in, is just the big creamy icing on the top :)

I'm in a postcard setting this week ;) And absorbing it all.

Ryder had 3 naps today. Two of them were poolside, in the pram. Life's tough when you're nine months old :) While he napped Chris & Ella set off together. They ventured into 'town', then attempted some shore swimming with snorkels {Ella was not so keen once they walked out there}, so they retreated to one of the many pools. This pool was awesome - with it's swim-up bar :) One day, I'll enjoy those kinds of 'luxuries' again, but for now....we're more about this:

Calming and cuddling cautious kids. Making sure they feel safe and ok, inside their own skin, and in this big ole' scary world we live in.

************

This evening we went over to the Marina side for dinner.

It looked like this:

Although, I can't at this stage of my life, indulge in swim-up bars {without a baby or child on hip, which just isn't cool}, I can still sure as hell enjoy a cocktail at dinner time! A berry mojito was mine tonight. Hello my friend:

It was gooooooood.

So was the view, as the sun set.

And our sleepy girl, busied herself with drawings & secret writing in her 'journal'...which is apparently for Fathers Day :) Whilst Ryder spotted birds miles away. The boy has eyesight to boot....especially when it comes to bird-spotting :)

My entree' : Scrumptious Calamari. So fresh. So delicious.

And here's me & my people :) I'm 30 and already have ALL OF THIS! Not a day goes by that I don't feel grateful.

Tired? Yes, all of the time! Stressed? Yes, sometimes! But thankful and happy....and wouldn't change a thing!

*********

I've just downed a thick chocolate mudcake and a glass of red. We're sitting out on the deck {our nightly routine}, the only light on is the glow of my laptop, while two sun-kissed babies sleep inside. And I'm excited because tomorrow we're doing something SUPER DUPER SPECIAL!!! I can't wait to check in tomorrow night to share the day with you :)

Until then.....

I'll leave you with this.....

Night'

Post Holiday Post.

We're home! And I'll be honest in saying that I am suffering a mild case of post-holiday depression! Don't get me wrong....I love our little home & love the safety and familiarity of being here and I am so SO grateful that we had the most amazing week away! But, I miss that place! I miss the view, the beach, the fresh sea air, not cleaning or cooking or paying bills for a whole week! I miss feeling free & adventurous. I miss being in the moment with my family in a stunning part of the world. I miss it all! However, I guess that's the beauty of holidays......the reason we take them......to have a break from our everyday lives, to truly relax & embrace....and then re-book them so we have something to work towards, to look towards :)

So I'll stop my ungrateful whining, try to step out of my grumpy boots & reflect honestly on the last few days of last week. The rest of the week after I posted from Mooloolaba on Thursday continued to flow on perfectly. The week just got better & better :)

The best thing about being on a vacation, is the slow pace. Not having to be anywhere by any particular time. I love just going with the flow & making up the plans as we go. Late breakfasts out, long evenings admiring sunsets, snuggling with jammied babies & listening to the surf crashing onto the shore just metres from our window.....bliss! Pure holiday bliss!

One morning, as I got up to feed my hungry little baby, I got to witness this beauty of a sunrise! Gorgeous!!!! It made the sleep deprivation of long broken nights a whole heap more bearable. I stood out on the balcony patting my baby boy's back trying to get his post milk burp up....and I got to watch the sun peep up over the horizon & cast it's light over the gorgeous coast line. The world around me was so still & tranquil. Mother Nature at her best!

Then I snuggled back into bed, feeling very relaxed, hoping to get some more sleep :) Then Miss Ella appeared by my side... "Good Morning Mummy"......and the day officially begun!

So off to the beach we went for an early family swim & surf. We discovered {through trial & error} it was too hard to drag the pram, nappy bag & all our beachy supplies down to the sand to then combat the wind & sun with a newborn & 2 other kids. So Chris & I pulled out our best team work skills & did a bit of shift work! We took turns with lazing on the grass with the baby along with enjoying the sun & surf with the 2 bigger kidlets. We got the swap-over routine down pat by the 3rd day :) 

As the week rolled on, we got to enjoy catch up with friends and share this glorious break with them!

And soak up true summery things, like ice-cream's in the park...all sticky & sweet! And very delicious {until Mummy attempted to help Ella in licking the drips & lost the whole ball of chocolatey goodness on the wooden pier.....not a popular Mummy after that one!}

Chris & Jayden got up to all kinds of adventurous fun this past week! Body surfing, deep sea fishing and jetskiing! Happy Dad & Happy Son! Happy Days :)

And in between walks, adventures, beaching it, and swims....we enjoyed the peace & serenity of our unit. Siblings together. Some scrumptious cooking. Drinks on the deck & a few sneaky afternoon snoozes!

Ryder has been an absolute dream lately, he really has! And I know that with babies, there's so many stages....so many phases! So I'm just taking this delightful, happy, contented baby stage with big wide open arms coz I know it wont last forever, as teething & sick days & milestones are ahead of us. But for now, we're embracing his 'go with the flow' nature, his endless smiles & gorgeous giggles. This boy is amazing! I feel so blessed to have him! What a dream come true!!!

Ella took these 2 shots of Ryder & I :) Not bad I say :) {And Ryder & I were matching in our black & white stripes.....pure coincidence I promise!}

One morning looked like this:

A bewitching, dreary downpour greeted us by 7:30am! But by 8:30am.....perfect summer weather took back the stage & we enjoyed a day of blue, sunny skies! That Mother Nature knows how to keep us on our toes :)

The Chadwick family have a lot of history up on the Sunshine Coast. History that fascinates me! And Chris's Pa, Ken, has seen the Coast transform in so many ways {that I want to learn more about} since the 1930's. I love hearing his recollections of the way life was 'back when he was a boy' growing up on the beach! We hung out with him one afternoon/evening last week. Chris & Jay enjoyed a surf with him {yep....at the ripe old age of 83, he still catches a mean wave!} and then we enjoyed a lovely Thai meal with him! Generations coming together makes me happy.

And, on the last night, as the sun set and we tucked sleepy, sun-kissed babies into bed, Chris & I soaked up the last bit of goodness of the week that was! We clinked our champagne glasses & sat on the balcony admiring the glorious view! I sat there most of the evening.....drinking it all in!!!! Cheers to Mooloolaba! Cheers to being on holiday!!! Cheers to family!!! Cheers to following your heart!!! And a big cheers to 2012!!!!

Hmmmm.....just writing this post, reflecting on our week and looking back through the photos has lifted my mood :) That's what I love most about blogging & journaling. Sometimes writing feels forced, and I lack motivation or inspiration, but after a week with my family; living, laughing & loving....this post just rolled off my fingertips easily :) Life's a beach.....get out there & live it.....

P.S. As mentioned in my last post....Jayden & I went on the Mooloolaba Missile :) OMG.....freakin amazing!!! Here's the video of us on it......ENJOY!! Hold on tight :)

http://youtu.be/WPCqZ2-aiqc

Recent Happenings....from turf to surf.

Today..... I am 40 weeks pregnant! Full-term!! Wow!! Yahoooo!

We were given 2 due dates with this bub ~ October 28th came up in the most recent scans due to his size & growth & 1st of Nov was the original due date calculated on my cycle. Of course, I've been going by the 28th of October as baby's DD....coz it's sooner....and to be honest....I WANT HIM OUT!!!!!!!!!! I know it sounds petty & ungrateful....but I am well & truly over it now. I have gained 30kg+ now....every possible part of my body is swollen & full of fluid. I have Split Pelvis Disorder which causes me a world of pain during the night. My patience is almost non-existent & my frustration levels are high. I am ready....ready to meet this little baby & start the next chapter!

However.....the past few weeks have gone by quite quickly & we've been busy! I have refused to let the pain & discomfort of end-of-pregnancy stop me from LIVING life....so we've been here, there & everywhere! I've tried to squeeze in as many day trips with my girl as possible, we've been shopping almost everyday {a mixture of me trying to be organised & a craving to be out & about!} and we even squeezed in a last minute beach getaway last weekend :)

Last Friday, I wanted to do something we hadn't done before....go somewhere new! And with Ella very much into 'hands on learning' and persistent on her farm party ideas, I decided to head down to a public farm on the Gold Coast, not far from us. My Mum came along....and we had a great time being part of the farmlife for a day :)

Mum & Ella 

Milking Cows

My girl & I....on an old farm cart :)

Mum & Ella went fossicking :)

And Ella found some GOLD & treasures :) 

Whilst at the farm on Friday, Chris rung from work. Our conversation went something like this: CHRIS: "Do we have anything on this weekend, apart from Ella's dance classes on Sat morning?" Me: "Ummmm.....no not really, why?" CHRIS: "I think we should go up the coast for a few nights!" ME: "Ok!" CHRIS: "I'll book somewhere.....bye!" And just like that we were heading away....I love last minute plans :) 

Friday night we went to a charity cheese & wine night to raise money for a special yet very sick little boy, that one of Chris's business associates was hosting! It was nice! And I hope the money raised will make a difference in this amazing little boy's life! 

Saturday morning, we were up early, packing bags of clothes, swimmers & sand toys....went off to ballet....then jumped in the car & headed 1.5 hours North to Mooloolaba. 

It was a good few days away :) Are you apart of INSTAGRAM? {my new addiction} Coz, that's where I documented & put up most photos of the weekend! If you're on there, find me; clairechadwick {username}. 

We wined & dined & got sun-kissed. We stayed up late, got up early. We caught up with Chris's Pa & Ebony! We hung with friends & enjoyed the amazing surroundings of the local beaches. Australia really is a gorgeous place...and I love living here! 

Hehehehe!!! These mirrors gave us MANY laughs :) Saggy boobs, double chins, ape-long arms & stumpy legs :) 

Except this one.....made me look pregnant LOL:

No comment on the shoe-eating crocodile......oh the silly things we do :) Gosh, we had a laugh!! Happy Days! 

We went to Underwater World! Ella loved it! In fact, I think we all did :)

Bubble Girl! 

Ella, Karen & Baby Annabelle :)

I've said it before....and I'll probably say it again.....but I love being near the beach! It truly is the perfect way to revive the soul and recharge the batteries! The amazing sunrises & sunsets. The salty layer left on your skin. The sandy goodness. And the fresh crisp air.....nothing beats it in my books :)

But....we're home now....and the nesting is well & truly underway! Hopefully sooooooon, our little baby will be here!!! {send me some baby dust please!!} 

My feet are pulsating with a numbing, swollen feeling......they look almost fake.....like a blown up rubber glove. So I'm off to lay down & put them up!

Goodnight All.

A Roadtrippin' Getaway to the Beach.

Sometime last week, as I relaxed at a picnic with a couple of close friends, and the freedom feeling of Spring & school holidays & Maternity Leave sunk in; I said a simple sentence without much thought; "This weather is gorgeous!! We should go away to the beach!! Maybe up the coast!!" It was just a random, impulsive thought!

A few days later; Monica sends me a text; "Accommodation up the coast organised, do you want to go Tuesday?"

Me: "Ummmm.....hell yes!"

So, on Tuesday, we packed up the car with bags & sand toys & bed sheets & lots of {unhealthy} snacks & headed off on a 'girl's {plus 1 baby boy} getaway". 

I love last minute plans....they always seem to be the most fun, don't you think? We headed up the North Coast to the lovely Caloundra. The road-trip up, should've taken 1.5 hours.....but it took us 3! Coz we made a selection of stops on the way {We picked up Mon, then I had to pick up some prints from the printers, then send them off to clients at the Post Office, then stop in at an old friend's, then refuel our tummies & petrol tank!} It was nice....just taking our time.....no hurry, no timeline.....we just cruised!

{The view from the back deck....as the sun set!}

{The view from the front deck as the sun rose.......GORGEOUS!!! I liked those apples, I tell you!}

The days just flowed from there! We had no plans, nowhere to be!

So we dined & wined & beached & parked & shopped & lazed & swam & played & simply enjoyed being sun-kissed, sandy & in the presence of gorgeous souls. 

Above: My Beach Babe :)

{Ella & Baby London}

{We 'balanced' inside play with lots of outside time!}

{I found a pretty little Mermaid on the rocks!} {Lucky me!}

{I braved the 'springtime' water temps to swim with my girl! I guess being in a pregnant state & having a higher temp than most people helped because I actually enjoyed the chilly sting:))}

{But Ella bailed on me....she was happier on the shore in the scorching sun!}

And on the 3rd day after a morning of beach & pool & 'just being', we packed up!! Jackie headed back a couple of hours before us to allow Baby London to snooze on the car-trip. We changed bed sheets, mopped floors & lugged everything down to the garage.....to discover I had lost the car keys!!!! YEP....they were in Jackie's car....2 hours back South!! Ooooops......let's blame it on Baby Brain ok?!

We made a few frantic calls to Jackie, Chris & Tiffany!! No-one at that time could come to our rescue due to the distance!! So....ANOTHER NIGHT in paradise was to be had....life's tough :)

We lugged it all back upstairs to the apartment & settled back in for another cruisey night :) {once I forgave myself for 'being so stupid', we laughed about it & picked up right where we left off {but without access to a car!}, we walked to the local shops & restaurants, we dined & wined, we went to bed late & slept in {if you can call 7am a sleep-in?} and we beached, pooled & relaxed for another day whilst awaiting the keys in the mail {that Chris express posted!}.

As late afternoon {Friday} rolled around, we cleaned {again} and packed up {again}, we chased the postman to get the keys that he was attempting to shove in the tiny letterbox, and we eventually headed home as the sun set :)

Perfect Getaway really!!!

{The apartment had so many mirrors, perfect opportunity for a Portrait Baby Belly Shot! 35 weeks & counting!!!}

{Above: and this morning view made me smile :) It was low tide....so there was an array of sand banks all through the bay! But check out that lone fisherman on the teeny tiny sand island in the middle of nowhere......just chillin'! No idea how he got there or got back.....but he looked happy!!}

I'm already missing this morning view!! But happy to be home, with Chris & Ella, slipping back into some sort of routine & enjoying the little comforts of home!

Happy Weekend All....no matter where you are!