Small steps

Hi everyone

well, like always, we have been flat out! Excitingly, Eli's Foundation is getting closer and closer...we now have a company, and the trust deed has been executed which is great...we are just in the middle of applying for an ABN which will hopefully come soon. We are also looking to trademark Eli's Foundation so the paperwork is in for that as well...hopefully, we are not too much longer off all the paperwork being sorted...all i can say is thank goodness for Shoba, Dianne and Anton from MinterEllison who have helped us through this maze...we would have never been able to do it without them...

We get the carpet laid for the house tomorrow which is kinda exciting...we are not looking to do a full on move all at once, i suspect it will be over 1-2 weeks when we can fit it in! Just small steps at a time i guess! It looks like the cottage will hopefully be open for business early next year...geez, nearly 2 years late but we WILL get there...lol.

We are all going ok...touch wood we have only picked up a cold here and there this winter...for that, we are definitely grateful...pete is still busy with work. Archie and i are just hanging out and taking advantage of the gorgeous weather by going for a few walks...im guessing that the next couple of days will be filled with a bit of painting on the outside...we only have one coat to go on the front eaves...and we still have the balcony to do...we will get there though!

Archie is going really well. He recently met up with all the relatives on the Brown side of the family...he was covered with kisses and cuddles and was pretty good all up...i think there might be another tooth on its way as he has had the grizzles for the past couple of days...

We had our visit with Dr Goss on Thursday and got the all clear which was great...we have a maternal health nurse check up this Thursday and i suspect that he will pass with flying colours...he is a very big boy! Fully clothed last thu, he weighed a nice 9.6kgs! little poombah! Very different from his brother...will try and get some pics of the last couple of weeks up soon.

Thats really all the news we have from the simpsons at this stage...will write again soon...

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxoxox

BIG MONTH

Hi everyone

its been a huge month with the house going gangbusters and most importantly, eli's birthday. He would have been 4 this year. I think i have said it before, birthdays we remember as what should have been...the anniversary of his passing is a reflection of what was for those 13 and a half months. I havent really found the words this year for melon's birthday, apart from the fact that we still miss him terribly every single day. People say it gets easier with time, and that we should be 'ok' now that we have archie. Archie is not a replacement for eli and it staggers me that people think that. It takes all we have not to say anything, and all we can do is blame it on ignorance. It takes an almighty strength to stay dignified when this is said to us because believe me, we would give our lives to have our beautiful son back fit and healthy. It doesnt matter how much time passes, he was and is our son and we still grieve for him even after so long.

Big melon...

we miss you every single day. We had our packet of twisties for arvo tea, as well as our pancakes for brekkie like we do to celebrate our birthdays and this will never change. We spent some time in your garden and archie sent some pretty decent raspberries your way to help you celebrate. We would give anything to have you and archie together, but i know you are there in spirit watching over him every day. I personally find that every birthday just gets harder and harder. We only had one birthday with you, and its one we will never forget little man. All we can do is reflect on the photos of you and remember the times you made us laugh so loud and hard that our sides hurt. Wonder what sort of little person you would have grown into. Thats what we miss most of all...just wondering what you would have been like as a little boy, free of hospitals and pain.

Love you so much big melon, we all do. Miss you more each day

melons cottage is going well. We have finally got our company up and running, and the trust paperwork should be lodged within the week. Once thats done, we just need to apply for a special tax status and abns and we should be right to roll. I think our insurances and utilities are going to be our major costs so any fundraising and or donations will be geared toward that.

We are still waiting to move in...only blinds and carpet remaining...then it will be the outside! we will need to do the driveway first before we get too much more rain!

Archie is going well...growing madly. 5 months now. I cant believe how quickly the time has gone! Archie is now the proud owner of two bottom teeth and he has also started rolling! Something we never really saw melon do. it was amazing to watch. He is still having two solid meals a day - lunch and tea and the rest is still boobs! thank goodness they have lasted so long!

We have had a few visits this month with nana and grandad from bacchus marsh, great nan olive from sale and great aunt leonie from WA meeting us for lunch and great aunts chell and jenn and uncles harold and wool. This month we are trekking to melbs to attend great nan and poppa's 60th wedding anniversary which should be good. Archie will meet all the rele's on the brown side wfhuch will be great!

anyways...best scoot. Thoughts and love to our dear friends Tan and Kylie who will be also remembering their kids birthdays this month...life just sucks sometimes.

luv and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxox

Melon on his first birthday