NZ update

Having a fabulous time in Blenheim. Had family bbq the other day, lunch on Mum and Dad's boat the day before that and a drive around the Marlborough Sounds coastline, and yesterday the boys played golf while Mum and I had a long lunch at Wairau River Winery .... life doesn't get much better than this!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas break. We have been overindulging on a grand scale.

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Kia Ora from NZ!

Having a great time in NZ. Weather not so good but was beautiful on Christmas Day. Pics attached.

A Visit from Santa!

Santa took time out from his busy schedule today and visited our mother's group at Kalinga Park. He has a real beard! Liam was a little overwhelmed by the whole experience and decided to see how much hair he could pull out of Santa's beard, but I don't think Santa minded too much. Pics attached.

Merry Christmas everyone!

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A Day at the Seaside

We had a lovely day today at Redcliffe with Kerrie, Sophie and Toby. Pics attached.

Only two more sleeps until Zane gets home from China!

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The Silly Season

It has been busy busy busy around here with the lead-up to Christmas. And Liam seems to be growing before my very eyes! I've attached a selection of recent pictures...

On Saturday night we had the Payroll/Q2 Solutions Christmas Party at Sirromet Winery. The night didn't get off to a very good start, Kerrie arrived for babysitting mid-afternoon and Liam proceeded to work himself up into a right state. We weren't sure what his problem was, but then about half an hour later he did an almighty vomit all over himself, Kerrie, his play-gym and the floor... then proceeded to scream inconsolably for another hour! We were getting quite worried and I wanted to cancel our evening out but Kerrie suggested we go and see if he calmed down after we left... so we did that and apparently he was ok after about half an hour. Phew! Most babysitters would have turned on their heel and run a mile but Kerrie was such a trouper. So in a strange way, Toby having colic has worked in my favour!!!! She is an expert in crying babies. The old nerves were quite frazzled by the time we got to Sirromet so as Zane was designated driver for the evening I polished off three G&T's in quick succession (for medicinal purposes). The night was a pleasant haze after that, with lovely food interspersed with good conversation and a glass of wine that never seemed to run out.

Then on Sunday, Zane flew to China in the morning and I had lunch with Rachel A, Rachel M, Kerryn and Shellea (and Liam) - pic attached - at Aqua Linea restaurant. It was great to catch up with the girls before Christmas.

Yesterday I looked after Sophie and Toby for Kerrie while she had her study group - so nice to return the favour!!! - and today it's back to Kalinga Park for mother's group. Tonight Kyles and Kezza are coming over for dinner so there is no chance of me getting lonely while Zane is away!

It is only one week and two days until our NZ trip - I can't wait!!!!

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Little cherub

Liam has discovered how to squeal with delight ... whilst this is a truly fascinating part of his development I wonder if the neighbours share my excitement at this milestone?

This morning I left Liam on his play-gym (squealing with delight) while I had a shower. When I came out it was strangely quiet so I checked to see if he was alright and look what I found ...




... the little cherub was having so much fun that he suddenly decided to have a quick power-nap to recharge the batteries ... note he is still clinging on to his toys mid-sleep! He had a very contented little smile on his face too ... I wonder what he was dreaming about? Bless!

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Liam's first swim!

On the weekend we had a family picnic at Kalinga Park to celebrate Christmas together before everyone rushed off for their various Christmas activities. The Masons, PK, Jacki, Brent, and Chae attended. After our BBQ we adjourned to Paul's house for a swim. It was a great way to finish off the afternoon! Liam had his first dip! He wasn't too sure about the experience but was a brave little trouper.

Tummy time!

Here are some pics of Liam playing on his tummy ... he is getting very good at it!

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Immunisation time :(

Liam had three needles on Tuesday for his scheduled four-month-old vaccinations. The poor little lamb cried and cried and it took me a good ten minutes to calm him down. I've attached a picture of him after we got home ... as you can see it didn't take long for him to recover! I've also attached a pic of his tootsies because they're just so cute!

We went and had lunch with Zane and Brent yesterday on Park Road, which was lovely. And today I went into the city to take Liam to see Dr Beer. Busy busy! I think I will have to stay home tomorrow to catch up on my household chores.

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Exciting times

I've had one of those fabulous weeks where everything couldn't go any better if you planned it. It started with the Kylie concert on Saturday night (it was excellent), then lunch with Kerrie and Toby and afternoon tea with Kerryn at James Street on Monday, Mum's Group at Kalinga Park on Tuesday (pics attached), a visit from Jacki and Chae on Thursday, and morning tea with Kerryn and Rachel Allara and afternoon tea with Juanita today. So the week has flown by.

Zane went to day two of the Ashes at the 'Gabba today and is out for dinner tonight with Paul and Brent and three Pommy clients. Should be interesting! I've told him to at least try and be quiet when he gets in. Who knows what time that will be? So while he is out "working", I'm quietly at home racking up brownie points. Which will be needed over the next few weeks I'm sure!

Liam had his four month check-up yesterday. All is good. He is 7.8kg! A very healthy baby. He seems to be learning something new every day now and I am sure he is going to start rolling over any minute. He has become very communicative and looks intently at me whilst talking in his baby language. He must be telling me something very important because he takes it very seriously. He is still sleeping through the night, hurrah!

Here are the pics of mum's group this week. The bubs are Liam, Frederick, Lucas and Samuel.















Now this next picture will shock my Brisbane readers. But before you call the water police ... the water came from our neighbours who have to empty their 10,000 litre rainwater tank for repairs. They don't have a garden yet so we are the lucky recipients of the unwanted water!




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Birthday Celebrations at Romeos

On Monday night we had a family dinner at Romeo's Italian restaurant to celebrate Paul's 60th. It was an 11 course degustation menu -! I gave up after about course 7 but a faithful few bravely continued until the bitter (or should I say sweet) end - chocolate birthday cake.

Attached are a selection of the best pics of the night. The first one is of Jacki and Chae, the next is all the Scorpios in the room (L to R - Steve Pellegrino, Gianni, Genya, Lenny, Paul and Peter), next is "The Knight Girls" - Lorraine, me, Sarah and Jacki, and finally Mavis with Brent and Zane.

We took Liam along to join in the celebrations and he slept soundly in his pram all night. What a good boy he is! He is still sleeping through every night from 7am to 7pm.

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Liam being cute

I just had to share these pictures that I took of Liam on his playmat yesterday. He is just so unbearably cute sometimes!!!

There is also one taken of afternoon tea at Kerrie and Rick's house. The tea cosy doubled as a hat for Liam... very handy.

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Happy 60th Paul!

On Saturday night we attended a black tie function at Gianni's Portside in Hamilton to celebrate Zane's Dad's 60th birthday. A great time was had by all, especially Zane who didn't make it home until 4.30am!!!

Kerrie kindly volunteered for babysitting duties - I now owe her big time so am hoping she has a few functions coming up where I can return the favour. Kerrie assured me that Liam was a little angel while we were gone.

It was so nice getting all dressed up for a change and getting out of my frumpy mummy clothes! Zane looked very handsome in his tux.

I've attached some pics of our night out, together with some recent ones of Liam.

Oh and in breaking news - Liam is now picking things up!!! Of course everything he manages to grab on to goes straight in his gob. He is having a great time exploring new tastes and textures.

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Weekend at Jason & Juanita's

Liam had his first look at the ocean on the weekend when we went up to stay with Jason and Juanita at their new home in Buddina Beach (near Kawana). We had a fabulous time and their place is only a 2 minute walk to the beach. Alex is six months old now and a real little character. You cannot wipe the grin off his face!

On Saturday night Glenn & Stacey came over for dinner with their kids Ella (3) and Georgia (6 months). Georgia weighs less than Liam ... he's a very bonny baby.

Liam has now slept through for the last four nights - including our stay at J&J's - so I think we have a breakthrough - hallelujah!!!!

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