Friday Today!

Today we woke up very early because I needed to be at work by 8.30am, we got ready quickly and ended up on TV, well my wife and my daughter anyway (they are the photogenic members of our family). Steven Jacobs from channel 9's Today show was in Mawson Lakes and we stopped and said hello.

Collecting Again

It has been a while since I have updated this blog. And a lot has happened in between. For starters I have changed jobs 2 times over the last year and we are now running around with our 3 and a half little girl. Time does fly when you are having fun.

The 1st job change was not a decision of mine, I got retrenched from the company I have been with for the last 6 and a half years, it was a Wednesday September 26. I think it was more of a disappointment that they let me go with about 23 other staff. I think I became too complacent and over confident that after serving them loyally and diligently for a number of years, I was sure that they had a use for me still. We'll we now know that you can't rest on your laurels if you are working for any company (big or small, corporate or private), just keep tooting and blowing your horn or trumpet or whatever so the bosses take note not to get rid of that useful person). OK now that that is out of my chest (took me a year to expel that bad taste).  I am now at peace with the world..... I believe that they are still downsizing, it has been a blessing in disguise to be one of the first ones to go.

I spent the day after which was Thursday September 27, feeling sorry for myself, it was my little girl's birthday tomorrow Friday September 28 and all I could think of is how sorry I am for myself. You know she was only little but she had the sensitivity to come up to my face and touch it with her chubby hands to somehow say 'it will be OK daddy'. It was like a jolt to me and I changed my focus right-then and there. I had already called an agency on Wednesday and rang them again on Thursday. It turned out that I have a job interview lined up the next day, my daughter's birthday, Friday September 28. The company was SA Tourism and I ended up working with a great bunch of people for about 5 months. They have become lifelong friends and am still in contact with them now... Thanks to all at SA Tourism for making me feel very much at home.... You are a great bunch.

The 2nd job change was out of necessity and it was my call this time. I jumped from being a freelancer to a full-time position with a small advertising agency in Adelaide called The Right Mix. My current role as creative director has opened my eyes to the advertising side of life. The design background that I have had stood me in good stead with Tony, our managing director, friend and somewhat mentor. I have been made a part of the family and the company and I will be ever so grateful to everyone at The Right Mix for this.

I have been with them for nearly a year now and am feeling settled.... But there are exciting times ahead for us at The Right Mix, a lot of positive changes to come...

Stay tuned for more collective D updates.

Potty Training...

Big task for us...training Miss Alannah to 'Go' in her potty. We thought we'll introduce her to the idea first until she is ready. As you can see she got it pretty quickly. We had to tell her she actually has to drop her pants...and she did! Don't know where she got the idea that you can read your book while you do your business!! Multi-tasking ....

The Handy Girl Can...

You have heard of Bob the Builder but have you seen Alannah the Fixer... Well, look at this. Alannah one day picked up her chair in the middle of a High 5 video to show me that it is wobbling. Her chair needed a bit of fixing and Alannah knew exactly what to do...tighten the loose screws.

For Hire - Mini Cleaner and Babysitter.

They say it is best to learn things early in life, as you can see our Alannah has been copying us lately. We are not complaining, housework has never been easier and I think we can start hiring her out for babysitting. Don't worry she is learning fast that you do not drink from your eyes, she is merely moistening them.

Baby Flash Dance.

Check this outfit out. Alannah had it going with this "Flash Dance" inspired ensemble. She even tested it out on the floor with her "tantrum" routine. The costume held out fine and all was well. Very groovy!

Food! Glorious Solid Food!!!

The wonders of tasting something for the first time. If the food ends up inside your mouth anyway. Alannah had fun with her food and that day we let go of our inhibitions as to how a clean floor should look like. It is just fun watching her devour toastinis and yoghurt and spaghetti and you get what I mean...

Our Little Mermaid...

The song goes, "Fishes, Fishes. Where are you? Down there, that's where they're from..." Well this is what we think the lyrics are anyway. The fish tail wrapped around Alannah's waist with the help of velcro, it stays put as she wriggles her bum to the music coming out of the small box sewn into the waist band. This tail was a gift from another set of wonderful godparents (lets call them K & R). This is the best time of the year - and we are glad that Alannah is big enough to enjoy all the presents that were given to her at that time. I know this is very belated but thanks for all your generous gifts...coming from our little mermaid from the bottom of our hearts...

My Little China Doll...

It has been a while since I posted something but now I have a back log of photos of our precious Alannah... so here we go with one of our favourites. Alannah is wearing a dress that was a gift from her lovely godparents (lets call them V & R). We waited 1 year to put this on our little doll and as you can see it fitted her nicely just in time for summer... the dress was a bit tight around the belly after a feed though but Alannah happily played in it. Ren thought that the two pigtails was a perfect finishing touch to our little cheeky china doll...

Note: has anyone seen Monsters Inc... well here is our very own "Boo" - the little girl who befriends the big monsters....

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle.

Shock, horror!!! This was the sight that I found one morning as I was about to go to work. I could hear her screams from the back room and after hurriedly putting on my socks, I skidded into the front room.

She was not crying out, but screaming out with delight to my astonishment. Alannah has managed to pull herself up onto the side of her cradle and proceeded to rock it. Apparently according to Ren, she has been able to do this for a week or two. She also added that, "it was better for me to see for myself".

Anyway, my joy at her accomplishment came crashing down as she suddenly fell backwards and hit her head on the side of the cradle. I was helpless to stop it and just watched in slow motion as the back of her head connected with the hard edge. All her crying that ensued was soothed with a small bag of frozen peas and a warm bottle of milk.

I felt bad the whole day and blamed myself for letting it happen. I want to put her in a protective bubble, so that mishaps like this she can just bounce away from. I am sure I am not the only first time parent with the same ingenious plan.

Christening Cake Anyone?

Alannah's day went fantastically well, albeit the 2 hail showers we had during that Sunday morning. Everything went exactly as planned and overall it was another successful event for the little Roxas Family.

We woke up to the sounds of hail that morning and Renalyn got me out of bed and out the front door just by saying she forgot to take in the new car into the garage the night before. Rush, was the word for the day. We rushed getting ready, rushed to the reception venue, rushed to the church and rushed back to meet the guests.

The church ceremony was beautiful and it brought us back to our wedding just over a year ago. Alannah did great, just enough crying to keep us on our toes. She did not mind the water splashing on her head but I think water in her eyes was a bit too much. I loved the look on her face when the priest presented her to the church goers, one second she was crying and as soon she saw and heard everyone clapping for her, she stopped and stared.

The reception was also a great find, Renalyn had the last two work Christmas Party at the venue. The food, atmosphere and service staff were great. Thanks for all who came to celebrate Alannah's christening. Thanks for all your presents and well wishes. Big thanks to all the Ninang and Ninong, namely Mirella & Daniel, Kathy & Ross, Miraquel & Grant and Vanessa & Rob. Also to the absent Luigi & Sonia. Thanks for all your beautiful gifts to Alannah.

Another thanks goes to Shane Reid, photographer on the day. Thanks for staying the whole event even though your girlfriend was waiting for you.

If I have missed anyone, then I am thanking you now too.

Laughter is best, when you can get it.

It was music to our ears, Alannah's first giggle. It lasted for a number of seconds one night as we were playing with her on the bed. Renalyn and I both shrieked with delight at this great phenomenon, but this resulted in an abrupt end to her laughter.

As new parents, we scrambled to our feet to emulate the moment, the second, the instance that caused Alannah to express her delight so vocally...........Two weeks went past and I have lost count as to how many times I have waved my arms over my head and walked in front of our precious daughter emulating a monkey. We were beginning to think that everything was a figment of our twisted imagination. Then, out of the blue, as abruptly as it ended, she started giggling again but this time at all the mundane things that you would do. She would laugh now even if we just looked at her...From nothing to an overdose of smiles and laughing fits, we have endured it all.

It is the best thing, hearing Alannah and Renalyn playing. Each of them giggling till the cows come home... Wait a minute, I'm the one they usually wait to come home most nights. Well then, Mmmoooooooo (Alannah laughs when she heard me).

Our Wedding in print...

See how our perfect day in October 2004 was feaured on "The Brides Diary" annual magazine. Our little piece of claim on the magazine landscape... this was also featured on the web.

Alannah Mai

I was in the delivery room with my wife for over 20+ hours and witnessed this little person being born. I was in awe.... speechless to the point of daydreaming. The nurse pokes me with the blunt end of the scissors to cut her cord, I also needed extra reassurance from her that it will not hurt our precious little new arrival. I cut the cord with hesitation.

Alannah Mai is her name and I remember on that 28th day of September (same birthday as my dad's) last year she did not cry. The nurse handed her over to my wife and their eyes met...just stared quietly at each other before they took her away to be checked. I was ordered to follow her as to prevent that 'Urban Myth' of hospitals swapping new born babies (by mistake of course).

It has now been 7 months and being a father to this bright eyed new person has been a wonder and a joy to me from the start. She is sitting up, crawling in all directions and has a very high pitched scream that she uses to get what she wants. She is to be Christened this Sunday and all arrangements have been made for the day to be as perfect as possible. I wish that we are blessed with good weather and that she is in fine spirits during the days events. Fingers crossed on both hands.

Note: This picture was taken on the day we traded in my bachelor car - a bright red Jeep Wrangler soft-top. It was a well loved car for my wife and I, but with Alannah in the picture - practicality and safety rules the day. Looking at her I think it is more than a fair trade - Alannah is now driving in a brand new shiny (when clean) black Rav4.

Inspiration from the side...

I have just spent the past 2.5 hours looking through a work colleague's blogspot Facing Sideways and have been inspired to create my own. I have called this space collectiveD and this will hopefully become the outlet for anything that I wish to vent out. Stay tuned... I guess this is a note to myself more than to someone out there. Everyone collects something. I will keep everything here...