May 2015

May was a big month for us.  I was scheduled to go back to work on the 18th at 3 days per week, after having had the previous 12 months off for my Parental Leave with Huxley.  But in April we became increasingly aware that Mick's job wasn't looking too secure (the perils of working in the boom/bust resources industry) so I spoke to my boss about going back to work at 4 days per week, which I got approval to do but only until February 2016 (at which point I'd have to go back to 3 days per week).  So I agreed to that.  It was a good choice - and a great thing that I have stayed plugged into the workforce in some capacity over these past few years since Augie was born - because the week before I was scheduled to go back to work, Mick found out that he no longer had a job.  Luckily he got a pretty good severance package but the job market here in Perth, the economy of which is largely driven by the boom/bust resources and oil and gas industries, is very tight.  Many companies have been laying off many people so there are a LOT of people out there looking for jobs. So it was that, within the space of a week, we did a complete role reversal - Mick staying home full time and me working 4 days per week.  Mick adapted exceptionally well and has done a terrific job - the boys are thriving and things are running very smoothly.  In fact, Hux and Augie didn't really seem to have any issues at all with the transition.

Here's Happy Huxley having a good time on our local playground one morning with Dad.

The job of a Dad is often, well, painful!

One of Mick's friends manages a V8 racing team. They came to Perth for a race so Mick took Augie for an incredible all-access day at the races.  This was Augie's first time at the races so I think the bar has been set very high!  I'm sure he now assumes that it is absolutely normal to be able to go and sit in the racecars (check out the HUGE smile in the photo above)  and hang out in the pits (below).  He even got to have some snacks with some of the drivers!  He leads a charmed life :)

Some entertainment for Huxley, who found the plane going off the end of the table to be so very funny.  Of course, Augie was willing to do this trick over and over for him.

Hux's new favourite trick in May - standing up and cruising.

One afternoon while hanging out with Dad, he also learned how to say 'ta' (which is short for thank you for all you North Americans).

Mick does Huxley's swimming lessons on a Thursday morning. Huxley loves the water and he and Mick have a great time swimming together.

Augie's writing skills really started to come along.  He wanted to write a note to Grandma Carma so I helped him with the spelling but, as you can see, he did the rest.  Including the love hearts which he was so proud of himself for learning to draw!

Huxley got some mealtime entertainment at morning tea.  He went through a phase where he thought hissing sounds were hilarious and loved to make them as well.

Augie loves clothesbasket rides.  I take him on the high-speed ones ('go faster, Mom...fast as you can go!!!') with the crazy turns at every endpoint and then he calms it right down and takes Hux on some runs that are more Huxley's speed. He is just the best big brother in the world.