On The Fun Side

Allegra has started Playgroup at Challenge House and she loves it.  She really enjoys the different activities, takes her time with pasting and painting, is enthralled in story time and screeches with laughter when the kids run around.

Meeting Kris Smith while at music therapy was an exciting time.  Allegra was very excited because she saw her  mummy excited and blushing.  He said my little Allegra looked like a rockstar.

  She was just rockin it in her casuals, unaware we were going to meet a handsome MAN.  He was not privileged enough to plant a kiss on my little Allegra.

We have had many playtimes with Allegra's little friends and their mummy's.  These moments have been missed so much and the excitement is just priceless and precious, of knowing a friend is coming to

 play today. Aunty Du and BoBo gave us a lovely welcome home day (back to their house).  

Aunty Kirky, Uncle Rexy and Ashi have had us over to their house for lunch and play.  

Rach, Izzy and baby Taylor have been a great support in our healing therapy, walking, talking, playing, lunching and hugging.  

Aunty Jenny, Stella and Lilly have visited us bringing bags of goodies and yummy dinners. We made the journey out to Kellie's to visit, have a play with Robbie and meet baby Michael.  This was one our first visiting experience and Allegra was extremely well behaved.  Allegra adores her little friends and they sure adore her.  It is amazing how accommodating they are with Allegra and her needs.  They are all very gentle and patient with her, even joining in crawling  rather than running off.

Allegra at the moment is into chasing everyone and others chase her.  This involves her mummy or Ma Mar carrying her and running.  She giggles, laughs and becomes quite hysterical.  We have even had to chase pigeons around the park.  She is just busting to move.

My little Allegra and I shared a very beautiful day, I called it "a date".  Challenge (supporting kids with cancer) hired out the Greater Union in the city.  We went to see Brave.  I was unsure how Allegra would go but it would not have mattered either way.  We were going out on an adventure together.  We sat at the very back with Allegra on my knee and she was into it immediately, then did not move for the whole movie.  Her enthusiasm was gorgeous telling the bear to run, quick!  It was so beautiful and again I was extremely proud of her.  She talked about it for days and then saw an advert on the back of a bus and she yelled out, "look mummy, the mummy bear."  Priceless and very clever.

We have spent beautiful quality time with Allegra's cousins Bee Bee, Harry & Charlotte.  Uncle Scott cooked us dinner and masterpiece for his little niece.  He carved vegetables in shapes and letters.  Allegra one day wanted to talk to Uncle Scott on the phone.  Bless him, he was busy at work and he was patient listening to a long, slow conversation.  He asked her "what would you like for dinner", Allegras response was "rice", so he made her rice balls.  She had a fabulous time with her adored family who just love her to bits.

Mum (Ma Mar) is going back to her home more frequently now.  Definitely not because we want her to, because she has commitments and has her home there.  I am sad when she leaves, Allegra waves bye bye Ma Mar, blows kisses then 5 minutes later is asking for her.  She is fine until the morning when she wakes and calls out Ma Mar and there is no answer.  I explain, remember we waved bye bye?  She remembers then asks to talk to Ma Mar on the phone.  

Their relationship is adorable, so special and unique.  I do get warm fuzzy feelings when I think about them and see them together.  Mum's presence is invaluable and selflessness.  My mum is the absolute greatest person on earth.  She is an angel.  

Allegra loves to help out in the kitchen and she was a great help making her daddy a happy birthday cake.  We started making it at 7am and it was finally completed 5 hours later.  The decorating had to be just right for her in her eyes.  Candles in, candles out, fingers in, fingers out.  The cake was poked more than a slot machine in Vegas.  She was very pleased with herself and announced to daddy when he arrived,  "daddy birthday cake".

We were blessed with a very special visitor from Brisbane, Glenys Bibby and her beautiful daughter Ruby.  You 2 ladies made our week, thank you for taking the time to heal us with your presence and presents.  You spoilt us.  Can't wait to see you again real soon.  I have missed you so much Glenys.  Tears.

We have had a fantastic time at the zoo.  Allegra and I went, and to see the amazement and fascination on my little girls face was adorable.  And "the peacock ate mummy's food.". Allegra still tells this story.

The next time we were lucky enough to have our very dear friends join us, Aunty Kirky and Ashi, Rach and Taylor.  We just love our times together and with our friends.  How lucky are we?????

We have also been to Collingwood Children's farm.  You may have noted that Allegra loves animals.  Allegra's daddy joined us and, "the peacock was on the roof" and "the pig was huuuuuge".  Allegra at night says, "pleeeease mummy can Allegra feed the animals?"  Looks like we will be going back.

We are also back on our bike.  We rode to our Day Oncolgy appointment at RCH.  Allegra helped me pump the tyres and then asked for her helmet.  

We packed ourselves up and hit the bike track.  Allegra remembers all about it.  We were so happy, giggling together, chatting away until we reached a hill then Allegra did all the talking.  "Go Mummy" she calls out.  Our endorphins were definitely pumped and we were silly excited for the entire day.  Weather has not permitted us getting out again but we can't wait for our next destination.

My little Allegra's personality is beginning to come out again.  She is loving having a chat putting sentences together with all the expressions and hand connotations.

She passes me the phone and asks to talk to either one of her 3 loved cousins, Uncles, Aunties, Ma Mar, Poppy or a little friend.  She even leaves a message when they don't answer.  So so cute.

Her manners are impeccable - no please mummy, ok thank you mummy, yes please mummy, bless you mummy. She tidies up after herself, packing toys away after playing with one before getting the other one out, wipes down surfaces, is pedantic about how items are placed and is generally a very well behaved toddler. She is starting to become a little more social and enjoy other people but still very attached to her mummy.  She needs to know where mummy is and be able to "see mummy."  Skin contact with her mummy is very important to Allegra bringing her immediate comfort, it is another regression to her baby ways but I am not complaining, I love it, those precious moments are priceless.

Allegra has been busy on her feet, pulling herself up, climbing up on the couch, walking along the furniture, and taking steps while holding onto my hands.  With our encouragement and praise Allegra walks with a huge smile on her face.  Extremely proud of herself and so shouldn't she be.  She is a lot more upright and looks taller.  I have been stretching and massaging her calves and hip flexors.  Months and months of lying in bed has shortened her muscles.

My little Allegra still continues to have nightmares whimpering in her sleep and waking up throughout the night crying.  This is a sign of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which we both have been diagnosed with.  Lots and lots of nurturing, cuddles and love is our medicine. 

 And a well needed holiday in the very near future is definitely on the dreamt agenda.

More adventures are to be had...... Stay tuned.