Jack and Katrina's Place

The days are lengthening and getting warmer which has made it much nicer for getting out and about. The Tulips in pots on the deck have been a great show and survived the spring Nor'west winds suprisingly well. The yellow Kowhai trees have been beautiful too around our place. Even so there was a cool wind blowing last weekend when we took Guy to a local park. He seemed to really enjoy it although you realise how small he still is when you put him in the littlest sing at the park and he still looks like a wee gnome.

Here is Guy in action, alone and with his baby mates. Not sure whether Sam pushed Guy over or he just lost it, either way he wasn't impressed!

He has been having a lot of fun with his trolley full of blocks. He can walk the length of the lounge while pushing it. Don't worry I actually managed to catch him with my left arm while snapping this photo with my right hand, (quick reflex and/or long arms)

In a more passive setting Guy had a lovely time playing with Ryan and James, some of the other boys from our Ante-natal group.

Here are some pictures of Guy catching up with Lavinia who was born a few weeks before Guy to Viola and Massimo from our Ante-natal class.

Now a few days ago I said Guy in his day dreaming reminds me of Calvin and Hobbs, here he reminds me of Charlie Brown and Lucy from Peanuts. From top right, G: "Hey Lavinia do you bet I can fit this tambourine in my mouth?" L : "Put that silly thing down and pay atention to me." G: "Hey baby , just gimme some space." G: "Lavinia? Nope haven't seen her around here"

Do you think these two gentlemen could be related? Guy had a wonderful time with his Grandad Pat and Verna gave him lots of cuddles too.

While down in Christchurch on August 12th, Katrina and Guy caught up with her Cousin Catherine. Catherine's Boy Thomas is three now and he and Guy played well together, and although Shaun is about the freindliest bloke on the planet, he was just one new face too many for Guy.

Meanwhile back at the Kaipoi Ranch, Grandad Pat took Guy for a stroll with Ian and Chloe the dog. Guy is found of Chloe and most furry things. He chuckles to himself whenever he touches the cat or fluffy fabric. Luckily both Chloe and our cat are very tolerant of his enthusiastic pursuit of things furry.

Since being back in New Zealand we have caught up with as much of the family as we could, they'd all missed Guy while we were away.

Jacks brother Rob called one wintery evening on his way to a climbing trip in the Tararua ranges. It was almost Guy's bedtime by the time he drove down from Auckland. Guy was a bit puzzled by this strange vistor but he loves the Giraffe Rob painted for him.

Then Katrina went to Christchurh to visit her family, Jack flew to Karamea on an aeroclub organised weekend, (but that's another story). Unfortunately Guy's Great Grandmother Phyllis was unwell and had to go to hopsital that weekend. In a way it was fortunate that Katrina and Guy were down that weekend and able to visit her in hospital. It happened to be a busy weekend in Christchurch as Katrina's brother Ian was up from his construction job in Queenstown. It is he in the green shirt holding Guy. Is it just me or does he lok just a bit like Vivian from the Young Ones? And while in Christchurch of course Guy had to visit his Great Aunty Valerie.

The other photo of Guy in his mountain buggy was also taken in Christchurch. It is one of my favorites so far. The short caption is: "Here is Guy in a reflective moment, doesn't he have nice eyes?"

A more prosaic one is: "Guy about to head out on another mission, fleece jacket done up, straps tight, his steely blue eyes scan the horizon as his crew (actually his mum) closes the canopy (on his pram). If you've read Calvin and Hobbs you'll know what I mean! : )

Well after the trip we were straight back into work and winter and the 36 hours a day task of raising Guy. We haven't done any blogs for ages, partly for the above traditional reasons and also because we have been trying to get broad band installed. They eventually fixed the problem down at the local exchange, but not until Katrina had spent several weeks on hold to their helpline. I kept holding off doing a blog because "it should be working by the weekend".

At last it works! So the next few photos are not strictly in order, but I hope they give you some idea of the joy and excitement we are experiencing every day with our little man.

Although still cold there are signs of spring emerging in Wellington, these dafodils we planted before we went away we a most welcome sight.














Guy is modelling a jump suit straight out of the 70's, in fact it was Katrina's, and it is almost too small for Guy already. He also has a cool green shirt, almost the colour of one of Jacks favourite Pampero (sailing team) shirts. Katrina has been cooking up kumara and pumpkin and finely chopped bits of lamb for Guy's dinner. He is looking pleased with himself after cleaning up another bowl.

With the worst of the winter storms behind us we got out on Sunday morning to catch up with our friends Barnaby and Rachel and their two lovely daughters. Lucy here is about 12 weeks older than Guy and with her big Sister Laura (2) they took us to the playground in Lyall Bay. It was the first time we have taken Guy to a playground and we all really enjoyed it.

Odd feeling really, It was the first time I have been in a playground for about 20 years. Where have all the splintery bits of creosoted timber and rusty tractors gone?

When Granny was in South America she picked up this lovely little Poncho for me, just the thing for chilly spring mornings in Wellington. She also got this Alpaca jersey for my Mummy, and a matching one for Daddy, (not shown here!)

On Monday nights Katrina's cousin Amy has ben baby sitting Guy while we go to night school to find out stuff we already knew.

Nonetheless it is still nice to have Amy come over after work and feed Guy his dinner, which he enjoys sharing with his whole face. Last week Amy's sister Sarah was in town too as well as Danielle who also does turns baby sitting, isn't he a lucky little boy!

Guy had fun catching up with his mate Sam. Sam is very good at crawling and Guy sits but doesn't crawl. Well here he giving it a go after Sam showed him how much fun you can have on your tummy.
On night while I was cooking dinner we gave Guy a celery stick to chew, nice and cool and just the thing for little gums, 5 teeth through now and number 6 on it's way.

Now that spring is here the days are warming up and the evenings are getting longer. On the weekend we went for a drive to the Botanic Gardens to see the tulips. Guy! sit down in your car seat!