I’m finding photos I haven’t posted. I’m sure most of you don’t care, but as I’m keeping this as a photo-journal of Paul’s life, I’m going to be posting some of them up here!
Back in June, the family took a train ride downtown to Melbourne. Here he is, a bit sleepy in his pram on the train.
![CRW_7387lr[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6603529519_33db09a6ec_m.jpg)
We traveled to see the Twelve Apostles this weekend because we had a holiday. (We might not get Thanksgiving, but we do get ANZAC day in April!) Apparently, some of the Twelve Apostles have fallen away. I think that’s apostasy, isn’t it?
Here’s a picture of Mommy and Paul. You can see one of the “fallen Apostles” in the surf below. (Pardon my wind-blown hair. It was windy and I didn’t have a hair tie.)
I’ll try to get my pictures up by the end of the week, but we’ll see.
Paul was a great sport on our super-short road trip this weekend. We drove for about six hours along the Great Ocean Road on Friday. Unfortunately, Paul couldn’t see the beautiful scenery as we drove. I think he was wondering why we didn’t let him out of his carseat! We only took two breaks as we drove. Friday night and Saturday morning we spent some time seeing the beautiful rock cliffs off the coast of Southern Victoria. Paul didn’t seem too impressed out in the wind and autumn breeze. But Mommy kept him warm!
![100_2846[1]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6692787311_a6068ef8ff.jpg)
Saturday we drove (the non-scenic) four hours home. It was a very nice short jaunt to see our country. Paul won’t remember any of it, but he sure was a great sport.
I’ve been in the country for more than nine months now. I’ve been picking up some of the language they use. For your convenience, here is a handy guide for your study.
Disclaimer: While I hear these terms on a daily basis, I do not use them. I will not be held responsible for how ridiculous you, as an American, will sound when you try to speak Australian slang. We Americans just can’t pull it off.
| Australian English | American English | Sample Sentence |
| Aussie | citizen of Australia (pronounce Ozzy) | |
| bench | counter | Put the refreshments on the bench. |
| bubs | a nickname for a baby | Bubs is getting so big! |
| car park | parking garage | There is a car park around the corner from the library. |
| Cheerio! | So long! | |
| cot | crib | Paul only sleeps well in his cot. |
| dummy | pacifier | Paul thinks his dummy is yummy. |
| hamper | basket | The week before Christmas, bring some fruit for hampers for the poor. |
| heaps | a lot | Last week, it rained heaps. |
| How you going?/How are you going? | What’s up? or How are you doing? | |
| mozzies | mosquitoes | There are so many mozzies tonight! |
| nappy (-ies) | diaper(s) | Paul has a wet nappy! |
| supper | a light refreshment in the evening | After the baptism, we’ll have supper in the foyer. |
| tcha | OK/the end of a conversation | |
| tea | (1) The evening meal; (2) mid-afternoon snack; (3) a hot beverage | (1) Would you like to come to tea Sunday after church? (2) She said she’d bring some rolls for tea for new mum’s group Tuesday. (3) do you really need an example? |
| trolley | shopping cart |
Paul met his Grandma Peggy and his Papa Paul while we were in Utah.
Paul loves his Grandma Peggy.
Here are three generations of Reid men.
And here Paul is with his namesake, Papa Paul.
Paul got to meet all of his Reid cousins in February. Paul was a bit oblivious. Cousin Kate was a little mother. Cousin Caden, as the oldest, felt he should get more turns holding Paul (“It’s my third turn to hold him now!”). All in all, it was a somewhat chaotic evening, albeit a good time. Special thanks to Emily, who took some of these pictures (my camera was acting up).
Paul met his great-grandma in February. Great-grandma lives in Dallas, Texas. Paul and I spent just a day with great-grandma, but we both had a great time!
Before I left Australia for our visit to the United States, I was telling my friends that I was I finally going home.
Then we spent 19 days living out of suitcases, living in other peoples’ houses, and driving other peoples’ cars. We enjoyed overwhelming hospitality and we had a lovely time visiting with family. But now, 20 days later, I can honestly say that I am finally home.
Home is no longer where my parents live — it’s where my family lives. And my family is now my husband and child.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)
I am so glad for this aspect of Heavenly Father’s plan, for I truly feel that my husband and I are one.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us — that they may be one, even as we are one. (John 17:21-22)
I realize that the Savior is speaking of our becoming one with the Father. However, I feel myself becoming unified with my husband in a similar manner. I understand how the Father and the Son are one, even though they are two beings: my husband and I have become one, even though we are two people. I understand how the Father wants our relationship with Him to be. United in purpose: One.
Moving across the world and having a child brought me closer to my husband. I found that traveling for 19 days also did. And now we are home again. Home. United: One.
I have not been keeping up! I have been absent from the web for two weeks. That is 10% of Paul’s life (he’s about 20 weeks old now). Here is an update.
Paul has spent 46 hours up in the air in the past three weeks. Here’s the rundown of where he flew and how long it took:
Total: 46 hours in the air
Note: These totals do not include the time spent sitting in airplanes waiting to take off or waiting to disembark; they only include the flight times between the destinations. These totals also do not include the time spent sitting in airports, driving to airports, and packing to go to the airport (although Paul didn’t do much in the way of helping pack). All in all, we spent a lot of time travelling lately! I am so grateful that Paul was such a good sport.
Paul has met all 5 of his grandparents/great-grandparents, 10 of 11 aunts and uncles (although some were only briefly met so there was no time to spit up on them), and all 8 of his cousins. (Uncle Carl, we missed you!)
Today I took Paul in for his next round of immunizations. I decided to have it done today rather than Friday (the next available day) because his schedule is already off; why not? He screamed while he got the shots, but he calmed down relatively well. He seems extra tired and a little sore. I think his extra chubbiness might help him not hurt as much as he did last time. I am glad it didn’t appear to be as bad as last time: I felt so mean!
I have about 30 pictures to post.
For some reason, I thought I’d have time to post pictures while I was on my trip. I didn’t. In the coming days, I’ll be processing pictures of Paul with his Grandpa Sorenson, his cousins Daniel and Jessica, his Papa Paul and Grandma Peggy, his four Reid cousins, and his cousins Leah and Samuel. I also have a new family picture. Unfortunately, I only caught a few of the aunts and uncles on camera.
Check back often—and scroll down to make sure you didn’t miss a post. I’ll post the pictures as I get to them. (Each picture takes 10-30 minutes to process and it’s a matter of finding time amid all the other errands I need to do this week and next.)
Paul did not cry or fuss very much during his first 24 hours of airplane travel, much to his parents’ delight. He slept a lot. A fellow traveler congratulated us on having such a “good baby.” Does that mean that he would have been a “bad” baby had he cried? Would that have meant that we are “bad” parents?
After day one in his home country, Paul has met 2 of 5 grandparents/great-grandparents, 2 of 11 aunts/uncles, and 2 of 8 cousins.
We’ll make sure to take pictures (I haven’t really done so yet). I’ll post them when I get a chance to do so!