Its been a long haul

We have had quite a trip to North America for the holidays. I had planned to write a blog all the way through and then realized it was more work taking care of a nine month old while traveling than I thought. Lots of fun but lots of work so lets see if I can remember all the events and try to recap them in order.

December 12th 3pm

We took off from Auckland airport and flew all the way to L.A

Lucas did a good job sleeping on the plane but did get a little tired of flying after a while

December 12th 8am

Longest day of my life we landed in L.A and we were so tired. Lucas fell asleep as soon as we got him into his buggy and soon after that we had to take him out to get into the hotel shuttle. Finally we set up his bed in the hotel room and he was more than happy to fall asleep for a good little nap.

Pat and Lori met us at the hotel around Noon and Lucas took to them right away he thought Pat was pretty cool and Lori made him laugh right away. Good news because we would be traveling around with them for 9 days so we were really stoaked (thought crazy Dave would appreciate that word) that he loved them right away

We did some touring around L.A for the weekend - saw the Hollywood walk of fame and the Hollywood sign, took a drive down Rodeo Drive and even took a tour of Belair. Walked down Santa Monica Pier, visited Muscle beach and Venice Beach. IT was a really good weekend and nice to see all the sites but that was enough I think for a lifetime really just another city

On Monday we traveled out of L.A to Barstow California, not a big town but a stop over to break up the drive on the way to Vegas. WE did some discount mall shopping which is never a waste of time in my books. Some good deals to be had.

Woke up the next morning to a very cold day. We drove from Barstow to Las Vegas through the Mojave Desert and were planning on stopping for a hike, The weather had different plans as we were traveling through a snow storm - check out the palm trees all covered in snow. Peter and Pat should never travel together talk about bad luck

So instead of the hike we got to stop at another discount mall - no complaining there from me.

We finally made it to Vegas and stayed at the Monte Carlo. We were only supposed to be there for 3 nights but we got snowed in and all the highways were closed so we ended up staying for 4 nights. Still a good time but not too much for a nine month old baby to do in Vegas he did like the bright lights though.

We were finally able to get out of sin city and made our way to the Grand Canyon. It was an amazing sight to see. Lucas didn't see too much of it it was a little cold and he started to get the sniffles so we took turns taking in the scenery while Lucas had a sleep in the hotel room.

Since we had spent an extra day in Vegas we had a big drive ahead of us to make it to Phoenix on time for the hockey game so we drove like the wind though Arizona. A place I would like to go back and visit some day. It was a pretty nice looking place. WE stopped briefly in Sedona which is where we were supposed to have stayed but unfortunately did not make it. Will try to make a trip back there some day though looks like a good place to explore.

We got into Phoenix at about 6pm and had to make it to the hockey game for 7 so we quickly set ourselves up in the hotel and then took off to the game. Bad idea it was way too loud for Lucas so Lucas and I had a little nap in the car to wait until the game was over.

Next day we were out of there headed for Buffalo, flight was a bit delayed but nothing major. Landed in Buffalo in a major snow storm. The city was basically closed down. Not sure how the pilot got us in safely. We were meant to drive home to Toronto that night but due to the white out conditions we stayed overnight and drove home the next morning. Not much sleep that night but happy not to have to drive in the wicked weather.

We made it home for Christmas and all is well.

Lucas is just getting over an ear infection and throat infection but he is much more himself now. Hopefully the rest of the trip will be smooth sailing.

I will add some more pictures later it is getting late and I am still recooping from having little sicky to take care of. Hopefully a full nights sleep tonight.

So Close I Can Taste It

Packing packing and more packing, we will be ready but man does it feel like we have a lot of stuff. Can never be too prepared I guess.

Big news, I have been slack in writing the blog, Lucas is moving forward - not quite a crawl but pulling himself along with his arms and sticking his bum up in the air. He gets where he wants to go but it takes him a long time. Soon enough he will be off like a flash.

Reach Lucas!!!!


Hi everyone, see you soon!


Last weekend at the beach - little does he know we are headed for the cold!



Learning how to stand up for his bath - he gets so excited for the bath though his legs give out.

Look Mom I can drink all by myself

Bach Weekend and lots of playtime

We spent the weekend at a bach with 2 other kids - Lucas loved it, he loved playing with Sarah (16months old) and just watching her walk around. It was awesome he would play for so much longer as long as Sarah was playing as well. He also had lots of attention from all the adults that were there so I think he enjoyed himself.


He has started to move!!! Still can't lift his upper body off the ground but is turning himself in circles on his tummy and moving backwards, only a matter of time now before he is into everything.



He has found this toy (above photo) that plays music when you throw it so he is throwing it all alright and just to make sure other toys dont make noise as well he throws them too just to try it out. I had to take away all his hard toys so he didnt throw them at James (6 weeks old) this weekend




Lucas loved the beach. The weather was amazing a little bit of a chilly wind the first day and then it cleared up so much that Peter spent most of the weekend in the waves - in his wet suit though it is still early yet.

Lucas loved putting his feet in the water (even though it was pretty cold) He even got hit by a big wave - soaking him all the way up to his armpits and still loved it. After that Peter got him naked in the sand as I ran back to get him a new diaper (we werent counting on a swim when we went down to the beach) There was sand everywhere but he really seemed to enjoy it. Not so happy when we had to take him back into the cold water to wash off all the sand so we could put new clothes on him. Wore him out though he ended up sleeping for 2 hours on the beach.

Still loves his toast!!!

9 Month Check Up

Went to plunket today for Lucas' 9 month check up, a little early but that is when we fit in.

He is doing just fine, still small but growing at a good rate so no worries.

He has found a new toy that makes a noise when you throw it - he loves it, throws it around until he throws it too far and it is out of his reach - not motivated enough to move to get it though.

Lots of laughing and talking away.

He is a busy little guy and needs lots of attention and stimulation. I can't seem to keep him entertained at home any more we have to take a trip out somewhere every day even the back yard is not good enough any more. Keeps me going.

Me with Baby James - man they grow so quickly!!!!

Lucas and some of his friends

Photos of Lucas

Lucas, Lucas, Lucas!!!

So many photos taken of this little guy every day it is hard to decide which ones to load up. He has been talking up a storm his favourite word is still Da Da Da. He also says Ya Ya and a little bit of Na Na - well done Mom on choosing an easy name to say! Still waiting on Mom yet.

Lots of waving Hi and Bye. If you say hello or Bye he will wave now which was pretty exciting. He has figured out who Mom and Dad are so if you say "Where is Dad?" He will look for Peter. I know he is a smart little cookie!

(Waving bye to Dad in the morning, one of his favourite places to play)

He has started eating cheese this week and it sure is a winner, everyday I think "Man is he like his father!"

Still not crawling though

Lucas and playing by himself is still a struggle. He has managed a half hour (I know a long time) of keeping himself occupied as long as I am in the room and he has some cheese to keep him company. This is the problem if I leave the room we have a melt down. Still at the two minute limit but trying hard to increase it.

The last couple of days have been awesome weather. I have my first sunburn on the season. So I have a red nose and forehead, let's be honest though that is just what I look like all summer so I shouldn't be surprised. Lucas and I spent Friday at the beach and I went down all prepared for Lucas with contingency plans for all possible scenarios cold, hot, thirsty, hungry, sleepy, bottle, wet, swimming, shade, etc etc. For me I took my car keys, cell phone and my wallet - really prepared, hence the sunburn!!!

Aunt Elissa moved in until our big trip home. Lucas is still getting used to her!

A New Adventure

Today (Friday November 14th) marks a new day in Lucas' life. He is learning to play on his own!!!!!!

Yes I have been one of those mothers that plays with my child, ALL day. At least as long as he is awake.

As of today I have decided that he needs to learn to play without me, really should have been self explanitory but I am learning as I go here.

I had a visit with the plunket (public health) nurse and asked her all kinds of questions i.e. "how long should Lucas be able to play on his own?"The answer 15minutes. Now that doesn't seem like a very long time. I was thinking while she was talking oh maybe I dont need to do anything I am sure he can play for 15 minutes this is going to be a piece of cake!

!!!!!WRONG!!!!!

Lucas got a max 2 minutes on his own - can you say "momma's boy"

Apparently it can take 7 days to break the habit so for 7 days I will be grumpy because Lucas will be grumpy but it is for the greater good of all involved and for the cleanliness of my house.

I will keep you posted on how much progress we make.

So after I started this process and got all ready for lots of moaning we went away and Lucas was not happy so he had lots of time being carried around. Then Lucas got a fever when we came home, not sure why maybe teeth so lots of cuddles on that day and the next day Peter and I were both sick with food poisoning (we think) so today we will start the moaning again and see how we go. So far this morning Lucas played on his own for 4 minutes although he moaned almost the entire time.

He had to play on his own because I did a really stupid thing. I put liquid dish soap in the diswasher, not on purpose, and I had a mess of bubbles to clean up. Thankfully Lucas can't crawl yet so he wasnt all in the bubbles. Man it makes a lot of bubbles though!!! Filled the entire dishwasher - crazy!!

His new thing this week is waving - he loves waving hi and bye to everyone. Also started drumming on everything except he still isnt a big fan of noise so often makes himself blink or even cry if he hits stuff too hard.

Lucas gets the master bedroom at the trailor! Lucky little guy must be lonely at the top had to keep us up all night.

30 and Holding

Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes it is nice to be remembered.

It is my first birthday as a Mom and things sure have changed. Peter and I went out for breakfast this morning. Breakfast on my birthday, unheard of!!! I would usually think he was crazy the dialouge would go something like this....

Peter: Happy Birthday Sweetie!!! Let's go out for breakfast to celebrate, it will be nice to share time together in the morning. We never do that.

Shannon: grunt - are you crazy I am sleeping in it is my birthday.

Instead this is what happened:

Scene: 6:50 Peter and Shannon are sound asleep and a noise comes out through the monitor

Lucas: ya ya ya ya, uhhhhh, waaa, waaaa, silence................ WAAAAA

Peter: I'll get up and get him ready, happy birthday

Shannon: Thanks, I'll get his breakfast ready

Peter: What do you say we go out for breakfast for your birthday

Shannon: That sounds like a GREAT idea. It will be nice to share some time together in the morning and I am sure Lucas would love to have more food!!!

Anyway it was a great day! Lucas even gave me 2 kisses when I asked for them - he must know!!!

The pesto kid having a picnic in the living room. Had to have a bath after there was pesto everywhere!

Lucas painting the wall with his maraca (sp?)



Playing "5 little monkeys jumping on the bed" with Daddy!!!

Lucas tries to figure out where we are in the world

Sunny Weekend

Daddy eating with Lucas on the deck - yummy lunch in the sun!!


Lucas loves to feed himself. His favourites at the moment are toast and rice crackers. Even better when I put pesto or avocado on the crackers!!! He is becoming quite posh



He is growing really fast, I had a look through the second drawer and found all kinds of clothes for 6 months and they all fit!!! Yeah I love new clothes and I didnt even have to go shopping. I love this Tigger track suit - so cute, thanks Mom and Dad.




Lucas talking to 'Uncle' Sean. He plays strange with a lot of people, especially men. But for some reason Sean is ok in his books - loves to play with the scruf on his face






Lucas and Peter playing in the back yard. Getting used to our beach tent - looks like Peter is ok with it.

Ya Ya Ya Da Da Da

Lucas is talking!!!! So exciting yesterday he started mouthing back at us when we were saying Da Da Da and then today he picked it up and has been talking all day "Da Da Da Ya Ya Ya".

It is hard to believe he is going to be 8 months old in 2 days!!!

The weather has been funny here, one day we are on the beach enjoying the sunshine and the next day I have pulled out my wool shirts again. Making a lot of people sick, I really hope we don't get "the sickness" again at our house.

I am finding myself busier every day. Lucas is napping 3, sometimes 2 times a day. When he is not nappinghe needs to be entertained, unless he is eating that is. We are going to GymbaROO and Peter is taking him swimming I need to make sure we have things on the go everyday or else he gets bored and doesn't have very good naps and we have a pretty grumpy baby. I foresee this only getting busier. Thankfully he is still going to bed pretty early, around 6:30 or 7:00 so we get a bit of a rest before I crash for the night as well.

Trying some pasta - good to suck up, doesn't even require chewing.


Yummy Marmite on Toast and peaches - good to get your hands dirty when you eat!

ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE!!!

Yesterday was Guy Fawkes day - why we celebrate it in New Zealand is beyond me. Lots of fireworks going on ALL NIGHT long! It was raining last night so I figure we will probably have another night tonight with the sky on fire. It is unbelievable to see kids standing in the middle of the road holding on to a firework as it fires off into the air - can you say "STUPID"!!!!!

They have passed a law here that fireworks are only allowed to be sold over the three days around Guy Fawkes day. Which means if you want fireworks at any other time of the year you need to save them. Because of that there are a lot of ads on the radio and T.V. I was not impressed to hear that one of the fireworks they are selling is called 'downtown Kandahar' - pretty disgusting! I can't believe that people thought it was 'ok' to name something you do for enertainment after a place that is going through a horrible ordeal - again disgusting. Whether you support the war or not it still seems wrong.

Happy Halloween

We don't really celebrate halloween in New Zealand but we had these diaper covers so I thought what better time to try them on than Halloween!!!

Bam bam bam bam!!!

He thought they were hillarious, even enjoyed playing with them when he took them off. I might just put them in his toy box - is that weird?

He is back to sleeping 12 hours at night again - what a relief.

This week Lucas learned the hard 'g' sound and has been saying it all the time. I think he is trying to say good but sometimes is sounds more like car or gu! whatever gu is.

Haven't made much headway on the crawling front - he really wants to go places but his upper body is just to weak to hold up that giant head - has such a big brain he just can't get it off the ground, must be related to his uncle Kyle. (I mean on the big brain front, not that Kyle walks around dragging his head on the ground - that would be really silly)

Can you believe it is so close to Christmas - where has this year gone?