Fathers day & such!

A bit late in posting this, but: We had a FANTASTIC Fathers day! We managed to give Luke a big breakfast & spoilt him on his first Daddy's day (Hollie is VERY good at choosing cards & presents!!!!) & we were able to go visit both our Dads too which was as always, great fun- we only wish the day was even longer so we could have spent more time with both! 

I can't believe that this time last year (On Fathers day) we told our Family we were having a baby! I was 4 months by that point, but with all the hospitalisation I'd already had at the beginning of the pregnancy & then all the continued complications we were both too scared to tell anyone! It just felt so un-real & we were scared it would feel too real telling people for it to be whipped out from under us! I was talking with a friend the other day about how special those first few months are (as well as how sicky they are!!!) It's such a special time when the two of you have such a special little 'secret' & all that excitement & anxiety about that little bundle inside you! It was so brilliant telling our family & sharing the excitement with them all- it didn't stop more complications coming our way, but our family & friends were so supportive & loving- knowing when to step in & help or say the right words of encouragement & knowing when to give it space. And now here we are with our little Hollie climbing all over us & it feels like there was never a time that she wasn't here! It's so crazy how life & circumstances change & how things you never thought you could have, you end up getting in abundance.

I'm so blessed to have the Dad & Father-in-law I do & I'm even MORE blessed to have Luke as Hollies Daddy! I think Fathers day is a great time though to celebrate men in general (not 'It's raining men' style or anything weird like that!) but just about all the men the influence our lives for good, that have patriarchal presence to us & that love us for better or worse. I think its a nice time to celebrate the men that have shaped our past & who we want to be part of our future :o) 

Other exciting things from last week: My Brother Eli came back with us after we visited my Pops for Fathers day last week to stay for a few days & he was such a LIFESAVER!

He's been helping with Hollie, who LOVES her Uncle Eli & now gives him 'the eyes' whenever he comes near her!  It has meant that I have actually been able to try & get on with the squillion things I'm meant to be doing/have agreed to do/have been asked to do & have not been brave enough to just say no to!!!! He has been super with Hollie & it has helped Hollie with her 'attatchment' stage with me! (We have had a few days where she wont do anything buy sit on me & wen anyone else comes near her she just cries!!!!!) So having someone else around for her to have to play with & who's paying her attention has been great for both of us! 

Uncle Eli helping at bathtime- but putting Hollie in her swimming costume because he didn't "know the rules!" Haha!

Eli also went into work with Luke one afternoon. On returning he said "that was jokes." So, a good time was had by all! Luke said the following day the boys at work were very disappointed he hadn't bought Eli with him again!

Postman Pats with their black & white cat! (Again, Hollie seems very un-amused at being put in a cat suit!!!!)

 All in all, a brilliant few days, lots of jobs done & lots of fun had! WE LOVE UNCLE ELLIOT!