Babies, Babies, everywhere!

Now that I'm back home I've had lots of catching up to do with my coffee group friends and babies before I head back to work on May 1st - YES THAT'S NEXT WEEK! Can you figure out which one is Luca? Stumped? Try the BEST looking one in the group - ha, okay, I'm just a little bit biased (but that's allowed isn't it?!) Still stumped? Okay he's the one with 'night owl' on his shirt.

I'm actually looking forward to going back to work. I'll be working Wed, Thur, Friday and Luca will be in daycare on Wed, Thursday, and with Oma Jo on Fridays. James and I revisited the daycare centre that we are using this week and did a trial run with Luca by leaving him there for a few hours. I really like this place and trust them. The ladies that work there are very professional, the place is very clean, and I just get a good feeling about it. This will no doubt make the transition easier for me....oh....and the additional paycheck will make it easier going back to work too. I can't wait for that first paycheck!

I've decieded that since I'm going back to work, I'm also getting a housecleaner. There's no reason NOT too. I'd rather spend my free time playing with Luca than stressing about the filthy house and doing housework. Most people in NZ think of housekeepers as a luxery item, only reserved for the rich...but I totally disagree. I attended a stress seminar put on in-house for PNCC employees and one thing that women mentioned was how it's money well spent to have a housekeeper a few hours every week or two weeks. I don't remember that much from the seminar...(it was pretty boring) but that's one thing I definitly remember.

I left the warm American Springtime to come home to the cold NZ fall. We're looking into some new heating options to make the winter months more pleasurable. Can't wait to see what we come up with. Warm house is a priority for me this winter - especially now that we have Luca.

More Family Photos!

Luca with Great-Grandma Loomis. We were able to visit a few times while we were in St. Louis.
Luca with all the pretty girls! He meets his cousins for the first time at my step-sister Julie's house. Wade, Nikki, and Heather were also there with there kids so it was a bit of a mini reunion. I wish that Luca could grow up and spend more time with all the cousins - we don't have any in NZ! Zoe (2nd from right) was so cute...she's majorly into babies and wanted to bring Luca home - in fact she thinks she's carrying a baby in her tummy.

Julie - thanks for hosting the get together and making gorgeous food - soooo nice to see everyone again.....see you all at our wedding - if not sooner :-)
Grandma Cassie with Luca - I love this photo.
Grandma Cassie and Grandpa Bob with Luca before dinner out at the golf club.

FLORIDA!

Our plane was delayed one day (b/c of American Airlines!!!) but we finally made it to the hot Florida weather only to be met a few days later by a Florida coldsnap - everyone was running around in sweaters complaining of the cold 60 degree weather! Crazy, I know...

Even though I had seen Dad and Fran a few weeks earlier in NZ, it was great to spend more time with them and I had a new expierence while I was in Tampa - Indoor Professional Football. It was fast moving and exciting (similar to rugby 7's) but the best part was the opening ceremony with over-the-top introductions of all the players, indoor fireworks, cheerleaders, and the most patriotic National Anthem - which is something I really like about the States - the patriotism (unless of course we're mentioning the War in Iraq....I threw that in there for you James).
Oh, yeah and the Hotdogs....not a big hotdog fan, but eating one at a baseball/football game....YUM! - you can't get these in NZ.

Luca's first swimming expierence in Dad and Fran's hot tub. He likes it without the bubbles turned on and seemed to be a natural swimmer kicking his arms and legs around. When Luca turns 6 months we will enroll him in swim 'lessons.' I could probably save some money and teach him myself (I taught swim lessons in HS and college) but it will be something fun for us to do and also meet some more parents.

Luca meets his Aunt Erin for the first time! We drove over to Orlando to visit Erin and spent the day trying on wedding dresses, and browsing a few shops. I know Erin wants to have kids some day and I'm hoping meeting Luca didn't put her off the idea! He was a bit of a handful that day - ha ha....see Erin....it is hard work!

Driving in the car with Erin in the back seat

Erin: Ewww, yuck give me a napkin

Me: What's wrong

Erin: He threw up in my face!

Me: Yeah, he just does that sometimes

Erin: He smells

Me: Like what? Poo?

Erin: No....he smells like you! (welcome to my world...smelling like breastmilk or spitup 24/7)

Luca: (nonstop gurgling and squaking)

We enjoyed visiting Erin and taking photos - and she helped me narrow down some wedding dress ideas! James and Erin really enjoyed the format of Erin's wedding last Aug so we decieded we wanted to base our wedding the same way....ceremony and reception all at the same venue on a Friday evening. We are so so excited about our wedding - it still seems like ages away though (May 22nd 2009).

Meeting the family

After we got over the jetlag, Luca and I were busy, busy, busy in St. Louis. We had a wedding to plan, shopping to be done, and most importantly people to meet!

My cousin Jim and Jenny drove to St. Louis and spent the night - it was great catching up with them. Luca had already met Jenny when she was in NZ, but it was a first encounter for 'Uncle' Jim.

We also really enjoyed hanging out with my cousin Melissa and Kohen -and of course playing with all of Kohen's toys and borrowing some more of his clothes. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Melissa for the hand me downs....Luca's going to be the best dressed little boy in all of NZ!

Across the ocean

We did it! Our first international flight with Luca. I have to admit I was a bit nervous traveling solo with a 3 month old - but it was pretty mellow. The staff at the airports in NZ were very helpful (now in LAX...that's another story), the crew on the airports accomodating as well, and the bassinet seat they give you for the looooong Auckland to LAX flight....lets' just say...AWESOME. Luca slept for a majority of the three flights, but unfortunatly Mommy didn't!

I can't get over how rude the staff of American Airlines were in LAX. It definitly does not send a good message to first time visitors to the States. For all you kiwis travelling to the States for the first time here's a bit of advice....LAX is horrible, just get through it and realize that not every American is like the ones found there!

After 23 horus of flying or in airports we finally arrived to Grandma Cassie and Grandpa Bob's house in St. Louis. I was beat - so so tired. Too bad little Luca felt the exact opposite. He was ready to party (after all he did gets LOTS of sleep on the journey). We didn't get to sleep until 6am the next morning. I was not a happy camper, but that's just what happens with babies...you're up at all hours of the day.