Home sweet home

We're very happy to be back home in Christchurch again, although it's certainly a LOT colder!!! The chilly weather is encouraging indulgences in roasts, soups, casseroles and other winter fare as we catch up with family and friends. Reuben is enjoying the rather fresh bike rides to work every morning in the frosts (photo on left taken by Reub last week), while Katie is appreciating the joys of staying home in the warmth!

With regard to David, the weeks of grizzling, drooling and rosy cheeks have finally resulted in some teeth! We discovered them the other day after a determined inspection (it is quite a procedure to gain clear access for viewing with a persistent little tongue carefully guarding the crucial area!). Now they are coming through more and more as the days go by, and we think the top ones are probably on their way. It's kind of a relief to know that he has indeed been teething and not just being a grump for the sake of it (you do wonder sometimes!!). We've managed to capture the pearly whites on camera for your viewing pleasure although you may have to click on the picture to see them properly!

We're starting to see the first convincing signs towards crawling, with early attempts to get up on his knees. He's managed to push himself backwards a couple of metres doing this, which is quite exciting to watch. No doubt we will be tearing around the house trying to keep up with him in the not too distant future!

He's also loving bath-time with dad (and his friend ducky), having a good splash around every evening. However he's not so fond of the process of getting dressed afterwards - far too much fussing for his liking!!

Bay of Islands - Anzac Weekend

We're just back from a fantastic four days in the Bay of Islands together. We stayed in a cottage overlooking Paihia, and managed to visit a lot of the historic sites in the area, specifically Russell, Kerikeri, Te Waimate, and Waitangi. We also spent a leisurely day on Monday making our way back to Auckland via the east coast, passing through Mangawhai, Goat Island, Leigh etc.

I (Katie) spent a lot of time in the Bay of Islands area when growing up as my dad was the project manager for the restoration of both Pompallier Mission at Russell, and the Stone Store at Kerikeri, so a lot of family holidays and long weekends were had in the area. It was therefore quite special to go back again, and also to share it with Reuben.

It absolutely POURED most of the day we were at Russell, and we returned home very bedraggled and wet at the end of the day! But we still had a great time - we caught the ferry over from Paihia, and then started things off with a coffee overlooking the bay. We then spent most of the morning at Pompallier Mission (where the french catholics set up base and printed bibles (in maori) to give to the locals). The afternoon was spent walking -in the rain- around the village. We bought this cute-as woollen hat from a market stall for David, which he seems to like judging by his smile!

On Sunday we drove to Kerikeri and bought some local produce from the farmers market before looking through the Stone Store and adjacent Kemp House - the oldest stone building and wooden building in New Zealand respectively. Hearing a lot of the local history from some of the very knowledgeable guides was great, and added a little more insight into how things were at the time these buildings were built.

On the way back to Paihia we visited Te Waimate where another mission station was built - this time by english protestants. (Yes, apparently there was a little friction at times between the french catholics and english protestants!).

On Monday we spent the morning at Waitangi before starting the trip back to Auckland.

A month in Auckland

Well, we're already halfway through our month in Auckland!

We're staying in a great Art Deco flat on the brink of Newmarket, close to all the important amenities: cafes, the Domain (for great walks with the buggy), Plunket... and clothing shops galore! Steve and Ange (Katie's brother and sister-in-law) are relatively close by, so we've been able to spend lots of time with them and Zara, and the latest addition, little Annabelle (see photo on right).

While in Auckland we've had a few episodes of (what we think is) teething discomfort, with cheeks so red they almost glow in the dark, and a lot of grizzling and dribbling, and gnawing on anything near the mouth. Otherwise he's pretty settled in his new home away from home. He's been building up a bit of a repertoire of flavours with the great solids adventure - avocado and banana are rapidly becoming favourites.

We're enjoying the respite from the onset of Winter down in Christchurch with consistently warm weather in Auckland, although it's rained nearly every day we've been here at some stage or other!

The photo on the right is of David with his great-grandmother!

Easter in the Sounds

Once again we made the pilgrimage to the Marlborough Sounds for Easter with the extended Bouman family. Last year, David made himself known with the last throes of morning sickness. This year, he was ever more present! While babies don't really allow for a relaxing holiday, we enjoyed the time away and were able to appreciate the beautiful scenery that is the Sounds.

We had a fantastic holiday home that we managed to all fit in (with the aid of an extra cottage on site), with beautiful views. This photo is sunrise from the kitchen window (yes, I was up at sunrise, but it was about 7.30am!!)

Easter Sunday was very special with a dolphin encounter - we came across a pod of hundreds, complete with mother and baby swimming in synch side by side, right next to the boat. It was such a beautiful sight, made even more breathtaking when they started jumping fully out of the water in front of us.

We also walked some of the Queen Charlotte track together on Easter Sunday - from Punga Cove through to Furneaux Lodge, while Mike and Scott finally managed to catch our dinner (bad fishing all weekend!).

Photo of David with Opa and Birthday Oma

Milestones

Well we've had a few milestones with David in the last few weeks. Those that aren't so keen on babies might want to reach for a puke bucket now - we are completely enamoured and will now proceed to tell you all the details!

Latest developments: he has just started purposefully rolling over from his back onto his tummy - very cute to watch; he has started eating "solids" (not actually very solid at all, but food nonetheless!) and is loving it; and he has moved from his bassinet to his cot. He has also been attending DA (dummy-aholics Annonymous) and has been dummy-free for 2 weeks now! (he was getting a little too attached to the thing, which is a pity really, because we quite liked the effect it had on crying (ie it stopped!)). He has also started making a really cute noise - what can only be described as a crow. You will realise how significant this is if you have heard him grunting away - crowing is a much nicer sound!! All very exciting and a bit of a reminder that they really do seem to grow up very fast. He is a whopping 7.8kg at 4 1/2 months, and has the biggest smile to match!

Partners in crime: this photo is of David with his friend Reuben (Nathan and Mel Runacres' son). Perhaps a hint of future mischief in their eyes??? Their fathers were thick as thieves when they were children too so it would be a continuation of tradition :)

February 2008

We went to Lake Tekapo recently for a long weekend - definitely a place to visit again in winter with their new open air skating rink and thermal pools. It was rather different being on holiday with a baby but we still managed to relax together and get some good walks in. The town has developed quite a bit since we were there last, with lots of new accommodation etc. Hopefully it doesn't become too Queenstown-esque.

This photo is taken on the shore of Lake Linden where we took a day trip with Mike and Carley and other friends on Waitangi Day. Reuben got some wake-boarding in (and complained about his back for a few days after - we must be getting OLD!) and we enjoyed spending time relaxing with everyone. We did work out that babies don't really like wind though!


Bubs is now three months old and is getting much more interactive. We are excited by all the developmental things he is doing - even lifting his head (when lying on his tummy) or holding on to a rattle becomes a thrilling event after dealing with a newborn who doesn't do much for himself!! It's funny watching him working out the whole mirror thing too - we're not sure if he realises it's a reflection or not, but it intrigues him anyway, especially at bath time with the bathroom mirror right next to where daddy stands. It's amazing what they have to learn, and the time it takes them to work things out for themselves seems to go both very fast and very slow!

Christmas break in Akaroa

We joined the Bouman clan for a short break in Akaroa after Christmas. A visit to the Giant's House (with extensive mosaic garden) was well worth while and lived up to expectations - we'd been meaning to go there for a few years! For those who have visited Barcelona, apparently her work is partially inspired by Gaudi but, as you will see, has a definite kiwi touch :)

Also, some more photos of the little one because we just can't help ourselves! He's now hit the 6kg mark at 8 weeks (no wonder, says the breastfeeding mother!) and is smiling and cooing away which is a delight to behold.

Growing Up and Going Out

David has been growing noticably, both to look at, and to pick up - 5.4 kg (12 lb) now.

Here's a few pictures

Happy mother and child


Stretching after a feed - how satisfying!

The Boumans at Vic's Cafe

The Wilsons at Trattorie

David is also starting to smile, but haven't caught that on camara.

More Photos for David's Adoring Fans

From his adoring Parents:


Chilling out when out and about


Posing after bath time

Sleeping on Daddy

More photos from the proud parents

Satisfied little boy


Granddad and David


Oma and Grandson. Asleep after first outing in the car.


Holding Mum's thumb