Happy Birthday Papa

Hi Papa - just wanted to send you a happy birthday message! We miss you lots. Hope you had a great day!
Love you lots
Lucas

Papa and I tickling Madisyn, so much fun!

Daisy and I got along just as well as you and Daisy I think!

Saying good bye is never fun!

Bach Weekends and Summer Sizzle

It has been so hot the last few days and the sun has been out non stop - great weather to come back to that is for sure. Easy to get used to.

We went swimming in the salt water pools on Thursday. It was great, they have a shallow area that is heated for the kids (and for wimps like me)! Good times - Lucas loves the water.

We had a long weekend this one just past (Auckland Anniversary) and we went to Papamoa near Mount Manganui to a bach with two other families. The bach was amazing and the kids played together well. Lots of good times had for the little ones. Lucas loves having someone else around to watch, note that I say watch not play with he is much more of an observer than an action kind of guy. Lots of crawling (leopard crawling) and pulling himself up on everything still.

He really liked the beach - not so much the water I think it was a little too cold for him but he loved eating the sand which I have given up on trying to stop him, it just isn't possible.

He got to take a ride on Sarah's bike which he aboslutely loved.

He has continued to learn new things everyday it is crazy to see how much he absorbes. He can now point to his head, and toes and clap his hands. He can make a fish sound and will look for toys that you want him to find. It is very cute you can say something like, where is your fish and he will stop, sit up and look around and when he sees it go full speed to get it and pick it up and then hold it above his head. Hours of entertainment.

He has started a new game - crawl away as fast as I can while mommy is trying to change me. He giggles away as he is trying to get away from me, not the funnest game for me when he has a poopy diaper!

Not to worry Patt-o Patrick is still his favourite toy followed by a close second with his hockey stick. Both toys dont really come out of the house as I see the potential for a few fights.

Peter is still looking for a job and has had a few interviews but has not settled on anything so far. Hoping that this week things start to pick up. I start teaching this saturday again, not sure what grade level yet - I should hear tomorrow.

Lucas 10 months, James 3 months - not too much difference in size

Back to Summer Living

Finally back in New Zealand after a fantastic trip to the states and Canada. Loved travelling around with Pat and Lori and it was awesome to see family for Christmas.

So many events that didn't make it on the BLOG over the past month, just not enough time to sit and think so here is a quick recap of all the things little Lucas has been up to.

• Flew from Auckland to L.A
• Drove from L.A through to Phoenix travelling through
  
• the Grand Canyon,
• Hoover Dam,
  
• Mojave National Preserve,
  
• Las Vegas
• Flew from Phoenix to Buffalo in a ridiculous snow storm
• Snowed in twice, once in Las Vegas and once in Buffalo
• Went to his first hockey game - not quite ready for all that noise
  
• Made it home to Ontario and met all his aunts and Uncles
• Spent lots of time with Nana and Papa and Opa and Grandma
• Learned how to say "MaMa"
• Crawled all over as many dogs as he could get his hands on
• Grew two top teeth
• Had his first Christmas
• Had his first ear and throat infection
• Wore a snow suit for the first time
• Had a toboggan ride
• Played in the snow
  
• Got baby sat by his Aunt Lise and Uncle Cory while his Aunt Elissa got married
• Met so many people he had to make a new friend Patrick the Monkey for security
  
• Got baptised
• Figured out how to get around by leopard crawling across the floor
• Flew back from Canada through Tahiti to Auckland

A lot to pack into 4 and a bit weeks for a little guy but it was a great trip.

Since we have been back he has been busy he can now leopard crawl from his room all the way into the living room which is a pretty big crawl for a little guy and he now pulls himself up on EVERYTHING!!!! He figures crawling is for suckers and just wants to walk.

He has learned to clap his hands and can find his toes if you ask him.

He seems to be happy to be back in his own room and has adjusted really well to the time change, only a couple of early morning (5am) wake ups and we were back on schedule with this morning even a sleep in until almost 7:30am.

The weather has been a bit rainy since we have been back but today is starting to look up with lots of sunshine. We are hoping to go to the salt water pools this afternoon if the weather holds.

We have made it to the beach and I was able to go to coffee group yesterday to see all the babies. Lucas was still a little shy and sat out on the side and watched most of the other kids playing. Soon enough I think he will get in on the action though.

Peter is busy looking for work and has had a few interviews with different recruiters. Hopefully something comes up soon.

We are back into the swing of things with a long weekend on the way this weekend. Will be nice to spend some beach time as long as the weather cooperates. So many tans around here I am feeling a little too ghostly with my gleaming white legs.

Hopefully back to a little bit of normality here and will start blogging regularly again. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years and that Santa was good to you. I know Lucas was spoilt rotten!

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