...And another one opens.

If you read this post you know that I have been bikeless for a while.  I sold my old road bike and went in search of a tri bike. Despite the fact that I had clip on aero bars on my road bike I never really felt comfortable in the aero position and so I decided it was time to switch across to a purpose built tri bike.  I test rode a few different brands of bike...Felt, Quintana Roo. They were all nice but didn't quite feel " just right"  I felt a little like Goldilocks...hmmm this ones too small, this one's too stiff, this ones too pink. (Sorry...just NOT a fan of pink bikes) And ironically after going through this long process of testing and comparing I ended up back where I started. 
With a Cervelo. 
I just bought her home today.
To say that I am loving her is an understatement ...( and yes, of course it's a "she" bike).
Just looking at her makes me smile.
I have some big plans for us. 
This new chapter's looking like a pretty great one.
I just can't wait.

One Chapter Closes...

I'm sad....


An era has ended....


My very first road bike is no longer with me....


When I first got her I was SO excited.  I just loved her.  She introduced me to the wonderful world on road riding.


I learned to ride with clipless pedals on her, trained for my very first triathlon on her and rode well over 1,000 miles on her.


So now she has gone to live with someone else. BUT I know she is going to a great home...someone in just the same place now as I was a year ago.  Just getting her feet wet in the sport of triathlon.  Michelle...I know you are going to love her just as much as I have.  Enjoy her...she really is a great bike :-)

Part 3 - Last, Last, Lucky Last

If you are still with me after the last 2 posts I know you are either related to me or very tolerant...probably both. So at last, we get to the one who was first.  Who broke us in as parents and broke ground for the 2 others that came after her.  The one who taught us that sleepless nights were worth the loss of every brain cell and that nothing could be more wonderful then adding that extra person to our little family.

Ciara......



Sensitive, creative, intelligent, witty.  She has a remarkable memory and knows more trivia then anyone else I've met.  I have made a mental note to never play trivial pursuit with her....EVER.  She is loyal and kind and despite the fact that she loathes confrontation she is willing to stick her neck out if its the right thing to do.  I have never had to worry about peer pressure with her...she is so responsible that she sometimes tells me that my behaviour is inappropriate.  Did I mention bossy?  Well...just a little :-)



Ciara is uniquely selfless....she is always the first to give up her seat , her icecream, her place in line for someone else.  She is a nurturer, a carer...if she could just stand the sight of blood she would make a great doctor.




She taught Matt and I how to be parents.  How to be more than a married couple.  She taught us how to be a family.  In so many ways she is the link that holds the family together.  She is the bridge between this generation and the next.  If she is the future, then the future looks bright :-)

Part 2 - The Littlest Melville

Even when he is a strapping 6 foot tall, 20 year old adult, he will still be the littlest Melville. Always. That is the fate of the youngest isn't it. Once the baby, always the baby. I know that from first hand experience.


The youngest holds a special place because they are the last. There will be no more...at least not from this baby momma!


Jack....



 He is a hugger. What more could you ask for from the baby of the family. Any visitor to our house that ends up staying in the guest bedroom will be well acquainted with the 6:00am "tap,tap,tap" at the bedroom door. He likes to come in, say good morning and maybe give them a good morning cuddle.




He is affectionate, kind and a real cutie. And how can you NOT love those freckles. I think maybe he was born with freckles! He has a good sense of other people's emotions and seems to always know just the right thing to say. That will serve him well later in life I'm sure.


He has always been easy going and compliant. I'm not sure if he has ever had a temper tantrum. When Jack was born we KNEW that our family was complete. The last missing link of our chain. And he fit in perfectly. ( ..and yes, that is underwear that Max is holding up in the picture...don't ask!!)




So he maybe the little one now but one day he won't be so little...but he'll always be the baby :-)