Sunday Routine

PL (Pre-Luca) Sunday mornings were spent sleeping in and then going out to brunch around 9-10-11am. We'd usually read the papers for about 30-45 mins while James drank several cups of coffee. Then depending on our bank accounts, we might walk around the shops. Sometimes we'd go for a run together, sometimes we'd do housework and rennovation projects together. What a distant memory all of that is!

By 9am this morning, I had already been up for several hours, fed Luca milk and breakfast (while at the same time I ate my breakfast), started the laundry, walked to and from the veggie markets, and put in another load of laundry! The sunday routine is much different now. I try to make it to the markets - which is only a 15 min walk from my house. It's great - I get to stock up on fruits and veggies for the week, and it is so much cheaper than the grocery stores. On Sundays I prepare lots of Luca's food (thank goodness for food processors) and stuff as much as I can in the freezer to use later on in the week. I make about 75% of his food, but also like to give him the commercial baby food too - there's more variety.

The weather latley has been really really cold and wet. VERY DISGUSTING. Today it finally stopped raining and the howling wind died down just long enough for us to walk to the markets and also the Esplanade Park (about a 30 min walk from my house). I was blown away by how many families with young kids were at the playground at 10:30am. I guess little kids just don't ever sleep in, do they? Luca got his first taste of the swingset. We had so much fun - you should have heard him squeal and laugh. Can't wait till he's big enough to go on the seesaw with me!

James has now been away for 2 weeks and I've got 3 more to go. Luca's health is improving, but Mom's isn't. I now have whatever illness he had. Guess it's just part of the winter time cold virus that is going around.

I'm purchasing the airline tickets for our wedding today. One word...EXPENSIVE. I've done so much research on the internet, and also though agents, and there's no way of getting around how much it's going to cost us. Oh well. Best to pay for it now, and forget about it. I've also bee working on setting up the wedding website. It's looking good, but before I give out the web address I've got lots more work to do on it.

I've only got about 30 mins till Luca wakes up from his nap and I've got a mile-long list of things to accomplish - so I better get to it.

Coughing, and more coughing

This picture was taken when Caydn was visiting us from Australia - it cracks me up because it looks like Luca and Jaycob are in deep conversation with each other. Take a look at Luca's hand on Jaycob's shoulder!
James is away for 5 weeks on a course in Townsville, Australia. He's been away for 1 week now so there's only 4 to go. I have a whole new level of respect for single parents....it's so hard! Between working, taking care of Luca, and well...actually that's all I have time for. Did I mention that Luca was REALLY sick last week. He's had a cough now for about 6 weeks and it got so bad that I took him to the Dr - he was very wheezy in the chest, struggling to breath, and very very grumpy. It's so hard for Dr's to diagnose what is wrong with little babies, and I was afraid they were missing something....so after two visits to the Dr, and a trip to the ER - I was told I have to let him wait it out with panadol, an inhaler, and a humidifier for his room. A week later, he's still coughing and very wheezy....so I'm hoping he gets better. It was scary dealing with this all on my own. Thank goodness that James parents are in town as well :-)

This photo was taken at the airport when we said goodbye to Daddy.

Even though he's got a nasty cold he's still all smiles!

Our Engagement Party

On Saturday, we officially celebrated our engagement with our closest NZ family and friends. It was held at the NCO mess at James work - and it turned out to be a perfect evening. Everything from the waiters serving champagne, yummy hors d'oeuvres, slideshow, and shuttle service back into town went really well - and of course it was great catching up with everyone. We even had a few friends travel down from Auckland for the party. I guess it was a little mini pre wedding reception for those that won't be able to come to real thing in St. Louis.

A few pics from the evening...


I love James! Can't wait for May 22, 2009! (that's right....I did get my hair cut off!)

We woke up on Saturday morning to a major hail storm. It actually looked like snow. It was so beautiful and totally made me miss living in a place where it does snow. Saturday before the party we were busy running errands around town to get ready - the maddness of the crowded shopping centre combined with the cold weather made it feel like Christmas to me (North American Christmas, of course).

James nephew, Caydn, was visiting from Australia and was in town for the party.
Some of the girls...take note of the cheesy slideshow in the background. We featured photos of our family and friends (and us of course) to keep guests entertained throughout the evening.

Doesn't everyone look nice all dressed up? The dress code was Guys in Ties, Girls in Glitter.
James with his mother, Jo.

A display of Shelly and James' early years. Yes, Mom, Dad, Erin, and Grandma...you were all on it too!
Moi, James, and Nigel - don't they look good? I think the guys should wear their suits more often :-)
Michelle, Me, Toni, Jo, Karlyn, and Rebbecca - after a few too many champagnes