Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Lachlan!

Lachlan's first Christmas!

Christmas is such a beautiful time. Ever since I can remember Christmas has always been one of my favourite times of the year. It has always meant family and togetherness for me, as well as a reflection on the greatest gift we have been given - a new life through the birth and death of Jesus!

This Christmas was extra special, as we had Lachlan to share it with. We have always said we want our focus to be on the 'real' meaning of Christmas.

Jonathan has always had plans to make a large wooden cut out nativity scene to decorate our front windows, designed and decorate by us!

Well, thankfully we decided to go with this beautiful nativity scene to grace our front entrance :)

We started the celebrations on Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandad Downs' house. Of course, it was great all being together.

We have this kind-of-new tradition (this is the 2nd year - does that make it a tradition yet?). We all write nice messages for eachother on eachother's place card. Lachlan even had one! No picture to show yet as we left them at Grandma and Grandad's.

After dinner Grandad told the nativity story to Sarah and Hannah. Lachlan sat in and listened too....maybe next year he will understand it a bit better :)

Here is Lachlan with Grandad:

On Christmas morning, we gave Lachlan his present....a swing for out on the deck.

Lachlan seems to know exactly what to do when unwrapping presents already!!!

On Christmas day we went to Pop and Gran Ceely's. It was another lovely day. The family has grown heaps this year - two little babies and a new sister-in-law! Unfortunately we forgot to get a photo of everyone.

Mum and dad bought a trampoline for all the grandkids......they love it! Lachlan stayed in there for ages!


A little rest time with daddy.........

Boxing day - Lachlan joined us for a cuddle in the morning and fell asleep again. We left him there a while to recover from the day before.

Merry Christmas Lachlan, we look forward to sharing many more with you!

Made With Love

Lachlan has had so many beautiful things made for him, including blankets, shawls, a clock and outfits to name a few.

The latest are these little outfits.....very cute......and keeps Lachlan looking like a baby!

Happy Christmas from the Downs Family

We wish you a wonderful Christmas and pray 2008 is a blessed year for you all!

Growing Up!

On the first of every month we have been taking a photo of Lachlan on his chair with a couple of his toys. It has been so nice to see the difference every month.

On the 1st of December though I could hardly get Lachlan to sit still! He is moving so much now....not actually crawling, but lifting his bottom and pushing with both feet......kind of like a caterpillar :)

Here are some pics that won't make it into the album!

What a Cutie!

This is the cutest thing.... sometimes we will go into Lachlan's room after his sleep and he will be peeping through his cot waiting for us. Other times when he is playing in his cot he will move up to the end and watch whatever we are doing in the family room.

Aunty Lisa!

Josh and Lisa got married on the 10th of November.

This is a gorgeous picture of Lisa with Lachlan and Hayden!

The Adventures of Lachlan and Nicholas

Nicholas is getting ready to be a big brother soon so is spending lots of time with Lachlan. He is very sweet with Lachlan!

Michelle and I went on a day shopping trip to Federation Square...... Poor little boys were so exhausted they fell asleep in the car and we had to take it in turns going into 'The Scrap Junkie' at Gungahlin.

Food Glorious food!

Lachlan's first bowl of food!

He wasn't quite sure about it .....

.... but in a couple of weeks soon got the hang of eating..... and now is king of the high chair!

Lachlan and Daniel

Lachlan had a friend over on Thursday. Daniel is Lachlan's friend from church and are about 2 weeks apart in age. Daniel is older.

Our Trip To Melbourne

This was our first trip away as a family and Lachlan's first plane flight. We had a busy few days - Jonathan preached in Lynbrook and we were able to visit Lachlan's great-grandparents, great aunty and second cousins!

Lachlan and Daddy waiting at Canberra airport.

On the way to Melbourne!

A family photo at Nana Rankins

Checking in at Melbourne airport

On the way home. Lachlan slept the whole way home, he is such a good boy!

Just Because....

This post is a 'photo-free' post....just because I feel like it!

Four and a half months have past since Lachlan was born. As you can tell by this blog, he is the most precious thing we have ever done and the most precious thing we have on this earth. He fills up our lives completely.

Last night we were talking about how we really did not know having a baby would be this great. Someone said to me the other day 'Just wait until he is 2' - and yes, I know there will be heaps of challenges ahead of us, I know sometimes it hurts to love this much. There is a quote that says 'Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body' How true.....

But we would not change our lives right now for anything. This 'season' of our lives is a huge change for us, and we are loving the newness, unpredictability and beauty that it is bringing.

Life and Times of Lachlan John

Lachlan goes to the shop in the Lachlan Mobile! Thanks cousin Nicholas for the hand-down-hat! It fits just snug!

Lachlan has learnt that there are options to sucking his hands....now he's desperately trying to suck his feet.....but first he's got to get the socks off!

Sunday Morning at Grandad and Grandmas

Proud parents to say the least! Our son is just so adorable....what a BLESSING!

Grandma and Lachlan in the garden. Grandma made Lachlan this wonderful little suit...complete with all the old time "smocking".


Lachlan's cousins Hannah and Sarah spoil him so much! He especially loves smiling at Hannah.


I ain't proud! I just cant wait until we can do some stuff together.

Introducing Lachlan to grandma's garden....I am sure he'll have a few jobs around the garden to do when he's old enough to push a broom.

Lachlan at 4 months. He smiles continually....from the minute he wakes up, right until he goes to bed. In fact....he gets extra giggly when he's tired. Although those giggles quickly turn to cries...it's funny.

Lachlan Loves To Talk!

Lachlan has a very expressive face when he is talking.....here are some pics of him having a little conversation early in the morning.