Second Anniversary

Today marks two years since we left the homeland for this sunburned country. When we first arrived, I didn't know if I would last six months, let alone two years. But here we are, with no immediate plans to leave, raising our two Aussie babies on the outskirts of Brisbane.

Although she's an American citizen, I think Rox qualifies as an honorary Aussie. She recognizes emus, koalas and wombats in books (but not squirrels), has vegemite on her toast for morning tea, endures nappy changes, sleeps in a cot, and loves going for rides in the pram. Oh, and she enjoys the occasional bikkie as a treat.

I wanted to get a family picture to accompany this post, but I just haven't done it yet. So for now, you'll have to be satisfied with a collage:

 Doc in his grunge onesie.

She thinks she's pretty funny (we think so, too).

Nate on paternity leave.

Me and Doc freshly sprung from hospital.

New Arrival!

We're thrilled to announce the arrival of 

Murdoch Karras 

born on October 1st.

We're beyond thrilled to be a family of four. More to come... Doc is sleeping now, so I'm going to sleep too!

Some pictures from our first few days in Brisbane.

Taken from the plane. The sun rising over the Pacific as we approach Australia.
After all of the warnings we got about choosing our words carefully (see the bottom of the entry), we saw this street sign while looking for an apartment!
The jacarandas are in full bloom all around the city and are absolutely gorgeous! This is on the University of Queensland campus.

The gash on Nate's scalp from the dive-bombing magpie! We have since learned that these attacks are common during nesting season and have even seen warning signs up around town!

Carrie and Jon's house on the hill and right on the edge of Brisbane Forest Park.

The view of the city (it's way out there) from their porch and a cage of guinea pigs out front.

We got caught in a rainstorm on the way home from the supermarket yesterday. We got home pretty soaked, but the rainbow sure was pretty.

Safe and sound on our balcony. The baby has been making quite a ruckus lately. Lots of big kicks into my ribs. Just about 8 weeks to go until Baby Hardy makes his (or her) debut!

Some pictures from our last few days in Davis.

Our room in Tara's apartment. Nate burns calories while waiting for the Bruce the Mover to show up. Note his new glasses.

The truck the moving company sent to load up our 5 cubic meters of stuff.

Bocce Ball Bon Voyage Party at the winery!

Girls' Night at Woodstock's (crashed by two boys who couldn't keep themselves away from us). Me, Tara, Nate, Eddie, Lisa and Fran.

Our super snuggle kitties the last day in their crib before moving in with my sister Becky.

About to get on the plane in San Francisco!