Well, Chinese Astrologers may have called 2009, the year of the Ox but for us it was definitely the year of the Baby! After finding out Holly was pregnant with our first child on 16 January everything in our lives changed. But more about that later.
2009 was a year of welcoming new babies into the world and farewelling friends who passed away. Holly’s sister Astrid and her husband Chris welcomed their first child Zechariah John Blackley into the world. Little Zech was a dead-ringer for his father from the moment of his birth. Aunty Holly and Uncle Allan were very excited t play with Zech 10 days after he was born on a visit to Sydney. Such a gorgeous and placid baby, he was a joy to behold. It also got us ready for the impending birth of our baby.
Also joining in the ‘baby rush’ was a number of our friends. In 2009 we welcomed, Eamon, Phoenix, Sienna, Caleb, and most recently Callan. Experiencing pregnancy, preparing for parenthood and navigating those first few months with each of these babies and their parents has been such a blessing. Sienna (the only other girl of the group) and Miriam have sworn to be BFF’s. (Translation: Best Friends Forever)
Although there was lots of happiness with new babies, sadly three of our relatives passed away this year. Holly’s, Cousin Sharon, Aunty Sue and Great Aunty Shirley.
Aunty Sue, or Aunty Shutterbug as we called her, will leave a big hole in our family Christmas celebrations this year, not least because of her skills behind the camera lens. Holly is making an attempt to fill her shoes as the chief organiser of Johnson Secret Santa but we all know we are going to miss Sue’s loving and caring presence. We are very sorry that Miriam will not get to know her Great Aunt but we will ensure she knows what a wonderful person she was.
At the time of Shirley’s passing early in 2009, Holly wrote this on our Blog:
“I know that everyone says..."well, they lived a full life" when someone dies but with Shirl this was the truth. The one thing I will remember about Shirl is that despite her debilitating arthritis (which she has suffered as long as I can remember) she never complained and was always positive about life. Life had dealt her a difficult hand (literally) in many ways but she didn't back down and give in, she continued on with an optimism I have rarely seen in others. There is no doubt she was a remarkable woman.”
Welcome Miriam Hannah
Our precious bundle of joy arrived on 22 September. Six days overdue and after a 15 ½ hour labour she arrived at 1pm. She is the most gorgeous thing we have ever seen, although we are probably a little bit biased.
Labour started in earnest the night before just as the Emmy's telecast was starting. We ventured to the hospital at around 2:30am once the contractions were 4 minutes apart. Our student midwife was there to help as well as one of the hospital midwives. But it was Al who was doing all the coaching. After 12 hours Holly was starting to feel exhaustion set in and was wondering how she was ever going to push this little thing out.
After taking 15 hours to get organised, she was delivered in only 15 minutes! Typical girl, she took forever to get ready before going out. When they passed her to Holly and the first thing she asked was....'what did we have?'. Peeling back the blanket revealed a beautiful little girl. Miriam was here.
After the birth, Miriam lay quietly on Holly’s chest admiring her surroundings. Even in those first minutes we could tell we had an alert and curious baby on our hands. When the midwives weighed her we were sure she was going to be in the region of 8-9lbs (given Allan was a whopper at 10lbs 13oz) but she weighed in at a small 7lbs12 (or 3.5kgs for those of you who go metric).
Now 12 weeks old, she is the light of our lives. Smiling and wriggling she is extremely entertaining and loves to be the centre of attention (no wonder where she gets that from!). Parenthood certainly has is challenges and its sleepless night, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
We’re all going on a snowy holiday!
July this year hailed the first annual De Rooy family holiday. Allan’s parents, Rob & Michelle had chosen the snow as our destination; mainly to appease Dean and Al’s constant nagging for the last 10 years or so.
July this year hailed the first annual De Rooy family holiday. Allan’s parents, Rob & Michelle had chosen the snow as our destination; mainly to appease Dean and Al’s constant nagging for the last 10 years or so.
Our accommodation was about 20kms past Mansfield and about 25kms from the actual ski fields. The boys were keen and so they hopped in the car bright and early on the first day and headed up the ski fields even though you couldn’t see the top of the mountain for the clouds.
Fun-filled days of snow and other winter adventures ensued, even Holly managed to get a few days ‘up the mountain’ although she spent most of her time inside with a hot chocolate in one hand and a book in the other!
Our nights in the apartment were filled with tired ski-ed out bodies either laying in front of the TV or playing our new favourite game – Farkle. It’s kind of a cross between Yahtzee and Pass the Pigs.
It was a great holiday, and something we hope that we can keep doing even as the family gets older, but Holly has voted for the next one to be in a tropical destination!
The plan for 2010
For those of you who don’t know in January 2010, we are moving back to Gove (Nhulunbuy) in the Northern Territory. Allan is going to be working for the Air Med service that does medical flights around Arnhem Land and Holly will be continuing her super-important role as a Mum.
Miriam helps with the packing
We’re in for a longer haul than last time so if you feel like a visit to the remote ‘Top End’ of Australia, you’re more than welcome.
