... cause the little one said "I'm sick & lonely".

So they finally rolled over and let her in. As she hit the bed you could hear Mum croon "Please remember to cuddle mum all the time, queen size beds are only made for 2."

There were 3 in the bed cause the tired Mum said "I'm tired & squashed".

So mum rolled away with Eli next to Dad. As she breathed in his face you could hear Dad plead "Please remember that I'm a light sleeper, queen size beds are only made for 2."

There were 2 in the bed cause the weary Dad said "I'm tired & cramped".

So Dad rolled over and put Eli to bed. As she hit the cot you could hear her shout "Please remember to love me when I'm sick, queen size beds are meant for family."

Although my first instinct is to "chew you out", I cheer up pretty fast after that.

Video: CallMe.wmv (2.2MB) | CallMe-Small.wmv (0.6MB)

Dear Mum and Dad,

You know I will always answer to Eli, Elimena and Eli-bear (and even to Elime for Nanny Paul).
...but this new one - Grizz-Eli-Bear?

I did have a cold over Chrissy, then ear infections with fever and then a full-body rash over the last couple of weeks.

How about cudd-eli-bear or snugg-eli-bear?

Love Eli xx

oh! so many new tricks in the last month...I can clap, wave etc etc but there are more important things at hand!

For my 8 month birthday - mum & dad turned my car seat around. It is SO good facing forwards rather than backwards. Now I can put my two cents in and give directions to the driver!

Notice that in the photo, I have no time to smile for the camera. I am too busy taking control of the situation :)

One of my favourite games at the moment is peek-a-boo. Just throw a sheet or shirt or pillow or whatever over my head and I'll quickly claw my way out. As encouragement, just keep saying "Where's Eli? Where's Eli?" until I emerge and then throw your hands in the air with a big smile and say "There she is!!!".

Aussie kids are indoctrinated early into the important things like Vegemite, Weet-Bix and Cricket (note the background commentary).

Elimena loved Vegemite on her first taste (see video), is gradually being convinced about the merits of Weet-Bix for breakfast and has started a 10-15 year journey in appreciation of Cricket.

Video: HappyLittleElimite.wmv (1.5MB) | HappyLittleElimite-Small.wmv (0.5MB)

Overseas visitors may need to listen to the Happy Little Vegemites song as background reading.

Apparently at this time of year you make all sorts of impossible promises that you have either
no intention of carrying out, or you promise something that you know you can achieve to make yourself feel good.

So here are some initial thoughts:

1. Spend more time with family and friends. Especially if they keep spoiling me like they do!
2. Quit Smoking. This shouldn't be too hard as I haven't started yet.
3. Drink Less. I currently drink 4 to 5 bottles a day and mum tells me that soon this will be down to three.
4. Gain 5 Kilos. At least this one sounds like fun!
5. Save and become debt free. Seems like a good resolution to make?
6. Eat healthily. Apparently this is one resolution that you have to make (and then break)....I am not really sure I have the resolve to carry this one out? Especially with dad around :) Oh, and I'd really like to try that chocolate stuff.
7. Grow more teeth. I'm dying to try a Marebone steak that dad keeps talking about.
8. Crawl before I walk before I run. Although I would really like to be able to run and so this is going to be a hard one.

I've picked a combination of the self-gratifying-easy and the self-crucifying-impossible.
I think I've got most areas covered - weight, health, finances, food, time. Did I miss any of the standard ones?

Well, we all had colds on the real Chrissy day and so mum, dad and I re-celebrated Chrissy last Saturday.

I woke up in the morning and guess what? I had a new front tooth!
One of the big ones up the top. I've got three now :)
So for Chrissy I really did get a new front tooth....

Photie to come...once the tooth shows itself a little more :)

It's just after midnight and I have to be very quiet since the olds have been asleep since 11pm. (Soft!)

I really wanted to go out partying (believe me ... there were multiple options), but they kept mumbling about traffic restrictions (get over it...) and me needing a place to sleep (as if!). It's my first New Year's Eve, all I wanted to do was watch the fireworks and enjoy a milky cocktail.

Anyway, I can hear the fireworks already so I'd better get on with it if I'm going to sneak out for a night on the town. Crawling out the window is my first challenge...